Travis Kelce has been surprisingly quiet lately, especially given his rise to international fame.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end became a household name after entering a high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift. However, during the Chiefs’ training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, he has been notably reserved, seemingly opting to keep a low profile.
Despite his quiet demeanor, Kelce is not completely out of the spotlight. Recently, he announced that he will be hosting a game show, adding another layer to his already busy life. Meanwhile, Swift had to cancel several concerts in Austria due to terrorism threats, which temporarily paused her Eras Tour. Reports indicate that Kelce has been in touch with her during this challenging time.
At Chiefs practices and preseason games, he appears relaxed, perhaps even subdued. This calmness is fitting for the environment at Chiefs camp, which takes place at Missouri Western State University, away from the hustle and bustle of public attention. Kelce is staying in a dorm, likely combining two twin beds to accommodate his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame—a humble living arrangement for a star athlete.
“This is my sanctuary, baby,” Kelce remarked on July 27. “St. Joe. Year 12. I’ve spent almost an entire year of my life up here in the dorms. Everybody may see that as pretty grueling, but I enjoy it, man. There’s something about this place that gets you ready every single year. And I’m not going to lie, I got pretty excited [for camp to start].”
His podcast, “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” has not released a new episode since July 3, a significant drop from its previous frequency of four episodes a month. Additionally, Kelce has only addressed local media twice since the Super Bowl, further emphasizing his low-key approach this offseason.
The Chiefs’ offense faced challenges at the beginning of the season, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes admitting that it was “not a lot of fun” during those early weeks. Kelce remained a reliable target, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards despite battling injuries and missing two games. He capped off a grueling 21-game season with a strong postseason, accumulating 32 catches on 37 targets for 355 yards and three touchdowns.
When asked about balancing his high-profile summer with Swift, Kelce reflected on the challenges of the previous season. He stated that he “can’t put a time frame” on when he might retire, expressing a desire to continue playing as long as possible. “I’m going to do it until the wheels come off, and hopefully that doesn’t happen anytime soon,” he said, acknowledging that he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning.
He added, “I love coming to work every single day and doing this.”
To support Kelce, the Chiefs have made significant changes to their offensive roster. They drafted wide receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round and signed Hollywood Brown in free agency. Additionally, Rashee Rice emerged as a key player for Mahomes late last season.
However, injuries may hinder the Chiefs’ receiving corps early in the season. Brown is dealing with a sternoclavicular injury and may miss several weeks, while Rice is expected to be suspended due to his involvement in a multi-car crash in April that resulted in injuries to multiple individuals.
The Chiefs have also strengthened their tight end position by drafting Wiley from TCU in the fourth round. These offseason adjustments are anticipated to help Kelce thrive in the upcoming 2024 season.
Despite these changes, Kelce shows no signs of wanting to take a break during the season. “Wear and tear me, baby,” he stated. “I’m ready for it, man. Put the load on me. I love being accountable for the men and women in this building and Chiefs kingdom. I love the aspect of everybody counting on me just to make the play for my team.”
Kelce’s tranquil training camp is a testament to his focus on achieving another Super Bowl victory. The Chiefs are aiming to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to achieve a three-peat. For this goal to be realized, Kelce will once again need to be a pivotal player.
The strategy is clear: streamline efforts in August to excel in February.
