Andy Reid's Travis Kelce comment should spark excitement for Chiefs fans

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce spent this offseason getting into better shape after an underwhelming 2024 season.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid indicated that's already paying dividends for the TE. 

"He's svelte right now," the coach told the media at training camp Thursday. "He looks like he's 20. He's doing a great job. He's in great shape. You can see he's been working out. You saw him yesterday on the long run where he had the burst. He's worked hard to get to this spot."

The Chiefs listed Kelce at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds last season. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in June the TE lost roughly 25 pounds this offseason. Shortly after this report, Kelce confirmed he lost weight, but not that much. The pass-catcher didn't specify an amount. 

Regardless, this is a positive for the Chiefs. Last season, Kelce seemed to lose a step. He had 823 receiving yards and three touchdown catches in 16 regular-season games, his lowest numbers since his rookie year in 2013. 

He also failed to step up in a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, catching four passes for 39 yards. The disappointing defeat motivated the TE. 

"Last year it didn't end well for us," Kelce said in March on his podcast. "I just feel like there's a responsibility in me to play out [the two-year contract] I initially signed, to give Kansas City and the Chiefs organization everything that I've got, and that's what I'm going to do." 

Whether Kelce rebounds isn't the only concern for the Chiefs passing game this season. 

Wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is returning from a left shoulder injury, which forced him to miss 15 regular-season games last season. Fellow WR Rashee Rice, meanwhile, is coming back from a season-ending right knee injury. He's also facing a potential suspension because of his involvement in a multi-car crash in Dallas in 2024. 

If Brown and Rice miss significant time, that would leave Xavier Worthy as the team's No. 1 wideout. He logged 59 receptions for 638 yards and six TD catches in 17 regular-season games. Those numbers are solid but not elite. 

Kelce, who turns 36 on Oct. 5, may be nearing the end of his career. However, the Chiefs still need the future Hall of Famer to be heavily involved in the air attack.