Travis Kelce is heading back to Chiefs minicamp next week with a noticeably different look – and not just because of a fresh haircut or flashy outfit. The tight end is reportedly down 25 pounds, thanks in part to a revamped training program and a significant diet shift that included saying goodbye to his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s homemade pop tarts.
It’s a big change for the 35-year-old, who considered calling it a career after the Chiefs’ 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Eagles earlier this year – a game that left a mark not just on the scoreboard, but on Kelce’s mindset.
Instead of retiring, he took it personally.
Kelce spent the offseason training in Florida, skipping the team’s voluntary OTAs in favor of a personalized routine focused on mobility, recovery, and getting lean. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Kelce told those close to him that he’s dropped about 25 pounds – the result of “going hardcore” with both workouts and nutrition.
Kelce’s Offseason Reset: A New Diet, a Lighter Frame, and a Bigger Mission
One small but symbolic sacrifice? Pop tarts. The Daily Mail reported earlier this year that Kelce had cut back on the sweet pastries Swift loves to make at home – part of a broader effort to clean up his eating habits and take pressure off his joints.
“He played a little heavier in 2024,” Fowler said. “It was a thing inside the building. He vowed to change it.”
That vow could end up adding another season to Kelce’s already storied career. Though he’s entering the final year of his contract, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says Kelce doesn’t sound like someone eyeing the exit.
“If it’s the last ride, you’d never guess it,” Mahomes told NBC Sports in May. “He’s working like he’s got five more in him. He looks even better than he did last year.”
Kelce finished the 2024 season with 97 catches, 823 yards, and three touchdowns – still solid numbers but his lowest since his rookie year. For someone as competitive as Kelce, that seemed to light a fire.
Now, with a leaner frame and the Chiefs looking to rebound, the stage is set.
Kansas City kicks off its season September 5 in Brazil against the Chargers. Whether it’s Kelce’s swan song or just another chapter, he’s clearly not easing into anything.
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