Travis Kelce has built an NFL legacy that few tight ends can match, with multiple Super Bowl titles and a future ticket to Canton likely waiting. But his career almost took a completely different path — one that would’ve seen him suiting up for the New York Jets, not the Kansas City Chiefs.
During a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce opened up about draft-day drama that could’ve changed everything. According to Kelce, the New York Jets were fully prepared to select him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Their plan only changed when another name — quarterback Geno Smith — was still available on the board.
“The Jets were sold on me,” Kelce told his brother and co-host Jason. “But when Geno Smith was still there when they were on the clock, they changed course.”
Looking back, Kelce couldn’t help but express his relief.
“Thank goodness!” he exclaimed.
As the story goes, Kelce’s phone rang shortly after. Seeing a Missouri number, he thought it might be then-St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher calling. Instead, it was Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
“He asked me straight to the point, ‘Are you going to [expletive] this up, man?’” Kelce recalled.
With trademark confidence, Kelce answered:
“No, I’m not. I’m going to be the best tight end you’ve ever coached.”
The rest is NFL history. Kelce went on to become one of the greatest tight ends of all time, winning three Super Bowls with the Chiefs and becoming a key piece of one of the league’s most dominant offenses.
Meanwhile, the Jets drafted Geno Smith at No. 39. Smith spent four seasons in New York, while the franchise continues to chase its first playoff appearance since 2010.