Travis & Jason Kelce’s ‘New Heights’ podcast: Travis on Andy’s script

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his older brother — Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce — host a weekly podcast called "New Heights." The title is an homage to the Cleveland Heights, Ohio, neighborhood in which they grew up.

They had to talk about it. It wasn’t fun to listen to, and Travis seemed as frustrated as anybody that the Chiefs' offense continued to stall in the second half of football games. The brothers also debate the best Thanksgiving food, and question whether Tommy DeVito sounds like a guy with a name like Tommy DeVito when he speaks.

"New Heights" with Jason & Travis Kelce | Jukes Original Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment | You can also listen to the show on .

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal , Travis disclosed that the older he gets, the more he feels the wear and tear of the sport on his body, stating that he’s had 10 surgeries.

“Still feel each surgery to this day... more than anyone could ever imagine.”

When it comes to his NFL career, the 34-year-old confesses that he thinks about retirement “more than anyone could ever imagine.” He keeps his own counsel about his round-the-clock physical anguish. pic.twitter.com/mIux34d5ch

— The Wall Street Journal November 20, 2023 All good things must come to an end, but that doesn’t mean we are ready for it when it happens. While we know that Father Time is undefeated, this is the first time we’ve actually heard Travis has even considered letting the words retirement enter his mind.

Until this point, he has always maintained that he will play until they won’t let him play anymore. But people's priorities and outlook change sometimes— he might be closer to the end than we think. He’s a 34-years-old and playing one of the most grueling positions in sports.

His comments should serve as a shot across the bow to wake us all up so that we enjoy watching him play while we still have him.

The biggest highlight of the Chiefs' season so far has been the stellar play by the defense and their ability to keep Kansas City in games despite the offense struggling. But as Travis and Jason noted in this episode, from their perspective, they feel like defenses around the league are playing better this season than they have in years past.

Team defensive efficiency leaders (opponent EPA/play) through Sunday Week 11

— Kevin Cole November 20, 2023 “Man, it just really feels like the defenses out here have a clue this season,” remarked Travis, stating that it’s not just the Chiefs who are battling offensive struggles. “It’s everywhere... It’s a weird season seeing a lot of the top offenses in the league get held to under 20 points.”

Jason agreed with his younger brother’s assessment.

“Defenses have been playing lights out... It wasn’t made any easier playing at Arrowhead,” explained Jason. “When you’re on the road, and it’s as loud as it is at Arrowhead, you forget how hard it is to communicate... I’m not gonna lie, that threw us off big time in the first half.”

In a recent interview, Alex Smith complimented Travis’ ability to find soft spots in the defense to make himself available to his quarterback. This often occurs in the form of Travis disregarding the route laid out for him on the call sheet.

“[He] never runs the line on the paper, but he is always open,” said Smith. “There are times he was supposed to break out, and he doesn’t, and he’s open, and he made the right decision.”

Like riding a bike, #Chiefs ' Alex Smith and Travis Kelce remember how it's done. Twice. pic.twitter.com/tZBVQ4TYNs

— Jeff Rosen December 3, 2017 Travis defended his freestyling nature.

“It’s more convenient when you do something to get open than when you run the line that’s on the paper that will get recognized,” said Travis.

But maybe right now, that’s not what the team needs. Travis seemed to think it was possible that he needed to run the play as designed more often.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not always running my own route,” said Travis. “This past game, I should do what I should be doing, and that’s running Andy Reid’s offense because I can get into a mode where I try and do too much, thinking I got to be f—king Superman — and help Pat out.

“In reality, Andy Reid’s offense is one of the best offenses ever known to man.”