Though the Kansas City Chiefs’ season ended in painful disappointment in February’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, analysts are hesitant to write them off in 2025.
Though KC traded away All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, and lost defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, safety Justin Reid, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in free agency, Patrick Mahomes is still the quarterback, the team signed Elijah Mitchell to backup running back Isiah Pacheco, both Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown are expected to return healthy, and tight end Travis Kelce is coming back for his 13th season.
Kelce’s return was arguably the biggest news of the NFL offseason, as many expected him to ride off into the sunset with girlfriend Taylor Swift following a bitter Super Bowl loss and failed attempt to three-peat as Super Bowl champs.
Though he’ll be 36 in a few months, Kelce is expected to still be a featured part of the Chiefs’ offense next season, and how he’s spent his offseason has been a big topic of conversation.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium.
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Kelce has been feverishly hitting the gym since the season ended, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently revealed that Kelce has dropped a significant amount of weight through his offseason training.
“The Chiefs knew that Kelce was going to be gone this week,” Fowler stated. “He’s expected back for minicamp, he’ll address the media, be on the practice field, all that fun stuff. He will debut a bit of a slimmer look. He’s told people close to him that he’s lost about 25 pounds this offseason. He played a little heavier in 2024, was sort of a thing, he vowed to change it and he has.
“As we talked about before, this could be the last dance here for him, mid-30s, still a productive player, they want to go to him on third down, but [his skills are] declining a little bit, so he’s trying to be slimmer and has gone hardcore this offseason to make it work in what could be his final season.”
The 10-time Pro Bowler, who was listed at 250 pounds last season, has made good on his promise to come back in 2025 in “the best shape” of his career. A slimmer, quicker Kelce is good news for the Chiefs, and fans took to social media to express their excitement about Kelce’s physical transformation.
“So where are all the trolls that were saying Travis Kelce wasn’t putting in the work? Because he’s been in his own lab slimming down and it’s so satisfying. That’s my GOAT of tight ends and the Chiefs! ðð¥ð❤️ð,” one fan wrote.
“Trav about to help the chiefs back the Superbowl and maybe even take a MVP award with him. Sucks to be the NFL teams defense that will have to try and cover him lol,” another fan added.
“A slimmer Travis Kelce is a scary thought for the rest of the league!” a third fan gloated.
“Best shape of his life alert!!!” one user exclaimed.
“I don’t want to alarm anyone, but Travis Kelce might be in the best shape of his life ð” remarked another user.