Just call him Travis “Svelte” Kelce.
The Chiefs’ All-Pro tight end received high praise Thursday from head coach Andy Reid, who told reporters the 35-year-old Kelce is in great shape and looks half his age at training camp
“He’s svelte right now,” Reid said during his media availability. “He looks like he’s 20. He’s doing a good job. He’s in great shape.
“And I’m not sure he didn’t come in first during the whole conditioning thing, he was right up front. You can see he’s been working out. You saw him yesterday on the long run where he had the burst. He’s done a nice job. He’s worked hard to get to this spot.”
Kelce, who is entering his 13th NFL season and quite possibly his last, previously said he lost some weight in the offseason.
“Each year is different man, you gotta rebuild it,” Kelce told reporters last month. “This year, I got some time to really focus on some things in the offseason that I just didn’t have time for last year. I’m certainly feeling good and I think it will pay off man.”
When asked about rumors that he lost 25 pounds, Kelce said, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet, guys.”
Kelce, who will turn 36 in October, posted a career-low 823 yards and 97 receptions in 2024.
The future Hall of Famer still finds ways to be productive in the Chiefs’ offense, but he’s at the end of his career and not as quick as he once was.
“You hope he plays forever, but that’s probably not gonna happen to any of us,” Reid said. “So whenever he decides to hang it up, he’s built a great legacy here. And if he decides this is it, it’s it. If not, more power to him.”
Kelce trained in Florida this offseason after confirming his NFL return in the wake of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl defeat to the Eagles in February.
The 10-time Pro Bowler was a non-factor in the 40-22 blowout loss with four catches for 39 yards.
Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champ, has 1,004 career receptions for 12,151 yards and 77 touchdowns.
The Chiefs open the 2025 campaign against the Chargers on Sept. 5 in São Paulo, Brazil.