There’s nothing quite like an Andy Reid training camp, and the Kansas City Chiefs know it. Every summer, the team embarks on a grueling journey at Missouri Western State University’s campus in St. Joseph, MO, in an effort to prepare for the season ahead.
This year is no different. The reigning AFC champions still have the bar set sky-high, and a lot of their leaders remain intact. One of them, tight end Travis Kelce, is embracing that responsibility more now than he ever has in his football life.
Travis Kelce Embracing Leadership Role Once Again at Chiefs Training Camp
Speaking to the media following August 6’s practice, Kelce expressed his excitement about camp. Even after days that integrated Reid’s infamous long-drive drills, oftentimes leaving players exhausted, the hunger for greatness is still there.
Kelce believes going through the tough times now will help the Chiefs when it matters most.
“I think [what] gives me more juice than anything else is the fact that we have created this culture,” Kelce said. “We have created this machine that when you do it the right way, it works and you get to win football games because of it. I think that alone kind of gives you the excitement that what we’re doing here is special.”
Last year’s Kansas City slate was confusing, to say the least. Despite going 15-2 during the regular season, they never seemed like a world-beating team. Several of their victories came by the one-score variety. Not only that, but the high-flying attack usually fueled by Reid, Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes was ho-hum.
Still, the Chiefs worked through the AFC playoffs and made it back to the NFL’s big game. Super Bowl LIX served up some humble pie, however, by way of a throttling at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Getting back to that game and earning a different outcome is the Chiefs’ goal for 2025-26. Kelce knows it all begins with a good camp.
“Trying to win Super Bowls, man,” Kelce said. “It’s the only way you get there. I think it starts in the offseason and when you get out here to St. Joe in training camp, it really signifies coming together, the chemistry, the culture that you need to keep getting better every single day, every single week throughout the year. Hopefully, [you’re] playing your best football by December, January and February.”
Kelce Relishing Every Moment but Tight-Lipped on Future
Kelce is entering his 13th season. He has 175 regular-season games on his body, totaling nearly 10,000 snaps. That’s without even factoring in another 21 postseason contests and nearly 1,500 snaps from those outings. He’s worked more than most tight ends ever have.
Even with the mileage, though, Kelce comes in to work with a smile on his face and improvement in mind. It sets the tone for his Chiefs teammates.
“I’ve been lucky to be here for, what is this, my 13th year now?” Kelce said. “I just absolutely love this organization, I love the team, I love all the coaches. I know just about every defensive coach as well as I know all the offensive coaches, and vice versa with the players and the staff and the equipment room [and] I have fun coming into work every single day. What better way to get better than to make sure that we lean on each other? If I can give somebody a word that makes them better on that specific route or running that specific drill, I’m here for it.”
Of course, there’s an elephant in the room to address. Many are wondering whether this could be the final Chiefs training camp for Kelce. He turns 36 in October, after all. His numbers and athleticism have declined from 2022 to 2023, then 2023 to 2024. Last year’s stat line of 97 grabs for 823 yards and 3 touchdowns is nice for most players, but not him.
Kelce makes a ton of money off the field. He’s openly discussed retirement. He has just about everything an NFL player at his position could ever ask for regarding accomplishments. Yet he won’t hang up the cleats, which could be a testament to his ever-burning passion to deliver for the Chiefs.
Considering his finite shelf life, is there a favorite camp memory Kelce has?
“Ask me that when I retire,” Kelce said.
Travis Kelce Addresses Leading by Example, Possible Last Chiefs Camp