Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce didn’t ask for a pay raise. But when the team approached him about reworking his contract and moving $3 million from the back end up to this season, it further strengthened the bond Kelce has with the organization.
“It’s just another reason why I love being here,” Kelce said Monday in St. Joe, Mo. “I’ve done everything I can to do things the right way both on the field and in the community and I’m going to continue to do that. They know that and they know what type of player they’re going to get and what type of leader they’re going to get.
“I’m extremely appreciative of it that they would even think about it or try to put something together. And it’s just another reason why I go out here and play my tail off for this city and this organization.”
Kelce is now in his 10th season with the Chiefs after being drafted in the third round out of Cincinnati in 2013, the same year Chiefs coach Andy Reid came to town. Kelce appeared in just one game as a rookie but has been remarkable ever since. And he can’t see himself wearing another uniform.
“I don’t plan on playing anywhere else,” Kelce said. “I hope the Chiefs have that in mind, too.”
When the Chiefs drafted Kelce, Reid already knew him as Kelce’s brother, Jason, played center for Reid when he coached the Eagles. Reid also knew of Kelce’s reputation as a bit of a wild man in college and his transition to the NFL wasn’t overly smooth early in his career.
Kelce had some on-field outbursts and even once threw a towel at a referee. But he has since matured, and Reid couldn’t be happier for him.
“When (John) Dorsey ended up drafting him, he and I had our little conflicts,” Reid said of Kelce. “But he’s a great kid. He’s got a big heart. He always has had that, and he loves to play the game. And he’s grown up just a ton. I’m proud of him, the way he handles himself today.”
Kelce has posted six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and has made the Pro Bowl six years in a row. He’s also second all-time in team history in catches (704), yards (9,006) and touchdowns (57), trailing only Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez.
Kelce’s contract runs through 2025 and he could easily pass Gonzalez up if he stays healthy and keeps playing with Patrick Mahomes and for Reid.
“Coach Reid has done a great job of listening to players,” Kelce said. “He’s got 51 percent. So he knows how this thing works best. So keeping a good control over that and being able to give us as many routes from everywhere on the field, that’s just an advantage.
“Not many guys get the opportunity to be inside, outside or in the backfield in other offenses and that’s what you get here.”
Monday also marked the first practice in pads in training camp, and Kelce said that means a lot to him as the team embarks on something that could be very special.
“I always look forward to the first day here because it just starts the new journey,” Kelce said. “Pads are a part of that. It’s not really a groundbreaking day for me. I’ve already been working my tail off and playing physical and things like that.
“You just throw the pads on to get a little bit more into the run game and things like that. So for me it’s just another step in the process. I’m excited to be out here because I can focus on nothing but football.”
BROWN REPORTS TO CAMP
Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown ended his holdout and signed his one-year franchise tender. Brown, who will make about $16.7 million this season, didn’t practice Monday as he had yet to pass a team physical and other conditioning tests.
Reid, however, seemed hopeful Brown could practice as early as Tuesday.
“There’s a good chance,” Reid said. “When the fish is in the boat, we’ll let you know.”
