Fans of the NFL were already aware of Travis Kelce‘s significance for the Chiefs on the field. However, his relationship with Taylor Swift has elevated his image outside of the game and brought him international exposure.
Even though Kelce has become a superstar due to his growing popularity, there is more to him than meets the eye. Behind his tough 6’5″ build and gregarious demeanor are a keen intellect and a high football IQ—qualities that are sometimes disregarded. This is what teammate Justin Reid brought up.
Reid discussed what it’s like to face Kelce during practice on Richard Sherman’s podcast, expressing his admiration for his smooth movement and route running skills.
He emphasized the three-time Super Bowl champion’s attentiveness on the field and praised his mental acuity. According to Chiefs safety Justin Reid, Travis Kelce knows exactly how to get open in addition to knowing the routes of the receivers in his immediate vicinity.
Justin Reid talks about Travis Kelce’s intelligence
According to Reid, Kelce possesses the exceptional ability to quickly modify his route in response to coverage, allowing him to integrate into the play without interfering with others.
What makes him so hard to protect and feeds his unique bond with Patrick Mahomes is his talent for finding space: “This is the part that’s not spoken about- how smart he is on the football field. He has the awareness to know that what the other guys around me are running these routes and I’m not the guy that run into being covered. Then, he will change his route on a fly. He just gets open and him and 15 have that connection and it is impossible to guard.”
When Justin faced the nine-time Pro Bowler in the playoffs while playing for Houston, he said he witnessed him do the same to him. That is the unnoticed aspect of his play.
Travis’s blocking as a tight end has drawn criticism. However, his route running, which is arguably the finest among the Tight Ends, has never been questioned. However, as he approaches the last years of his career, teams are beginning to take notice. T
Even Mahomes prefers to pass the ball to other wide receivers, which is clear given his early season troubles. But as the season progresses, Kelce is starting to find his groove and figuring out how to alter his style of play.
