Bussin' With The Boys – Best of the Bus: Travis Kelce On Returning To The Chiefs + The Success Of His Podcast "New Heights"

Date: March 14, 2026
Hosts: Will Compton & Taylor Lewan
Featured Guest: Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs, "New Heights" Podcast)

Episode Overview

In this lively, banter-filled episode, NFL stars-turned-podcasters Will Compton and Taylor Lewan welcome their friend and NFL legend Travis Kelce for a wide-ranging, hilarious, and candid conversation. They dive deep on upcoming college football matchups, the state of Nebraska and Cincinnati programs, what keeps Travis motivated after three Super Bowl rings, the inner workings of his hit podcast "New Heights" with brother Jason Kelce, and how he's navigating life at the height of fame. Travis opens up about leadership, legacy, future plans, acting gigs, life after football, Tight End U, and the very real pressures and joys of an A-list public life.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Preview & College Football Trash Talk

• Friendly Rivalry: The hosts and Travis spend the opening segment (03:34–08:00) ribbing each other about their alma maters—Nebraska and Cincinnati—and the upcoming game at Arrowhead Stadium.
• High Stakes Bet: Travis proposes a wager: if Nebraska loses, the Boys must wear the full Cincinnati get-up, and vice versa.
  • Kelce: “I think my Bearcats are going to come through, and you guys are gonna have to come on New Heights and you’re rocking a Cincinnati jersey.” (07:45)
  • Will Compton: “If we lose, I’ll rock whatever you want.” (08:01)
• Comparing Programs: Honest analysis of recent years, coaching changes, and on-field performance, laced with humor. The hosts needle Travis about Bearcats’ losing streak and he blames "getting guys experience for this year’s run." (04:18–05:26)
• Players to Watch: Enthusiastic discussion of top recruits and player comparisons, including Dylan Rayola and Travis Hunter.

2. NFL Leadership, Motivation & The Last Dance Feeling

• Motivation After A Tough Loss: Kelce describes the pain of their playoff exit and the fire it reignited in him to refocus and attack what could be his last contract year.
  • Kelce: “I took on bigger projects this year. I kind of put all that to the side, and I’m like, man, I’m going into my last year of my contract, 13th year. I want to make this dream that I’ve always had the best it’s ever been.” (17:51)
• Facing Retirement: Openly discusses contemplating retirement, the impact a Super Bowl win or loss can have on that decision, and the allure of going out on top.
  • Kelce: “It might have made me think about it a little bit more. I just had a sour taste in my mouth immediately… I don’t want to leave anything out there.” (19:32)
• Can’t Picture Another Jersey: Travis expresses how deeply rooted he is in Kansas City, both organizationally and personally.
  • “Kansas City is, I guess, the only place I got a home. That is my home.” (21:22)

3. Legacy, Leadership, and Self-Critique

• Leadership Accountability: Travis is tough on himself about leadership during their recent Super Bowl loss, reflecting on plays he’d want back and what he’ll do as a leader to be “more accountable for the guys.”
  • “I don’t think I was the best leader during the Super Bowl itself… putting the accountability on myself…” (32:27)
• Dealing With Decline: Honest reflection as an aging player:
  • “I used to be able to hum it like 90… Now I can’t even raise my arm over my head.” (34:53)

4. Podcasting & Media Life – Behind the Scenes of "New Heights"

• Booking Big Guests: Travis shares stories about landing LeBron James (“Cleveland connection!” 27:37), his wishlist guests (Deion Sanders, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Adam Sandler), and the escalating visibility of "New Heights".
• White Whales & Dream Guests: “Man, I want to get Deion Sanders on so bad. I want to talk to him about the football and baseball world…” (29:24)
• Preparations & Nerves: Insight into what it takes to run a top sports podcast, how long some guests take to book, and, playfully, using connections to “sloppy second” guests to Bussin’ With The Boys.

5. Acting, SNL, and Life Outside Football

• Kelce’s Acting Experience: Travis talks about doing an Adam Sandler movie and his SNL appearance.
  • On acting: “I’d kill to do movies like that for the rest of my life. Even if it’s just a small part...” (23:17)
  • On SNL: “You’re there all week, up till 2, 3 in the morning every day, just trying to knock stuff out…” (50:06)
• The Challenge: Prepping for acting is a new discomfort—he compares it to NFL prep and learning new skills in another field.

6. Tight End U, Culture, and Charity

• Tight End U: Heartfelt discussion about the annual tight end summit, its fun, community, and the $900k+ raised for charity last year.
  • “It’s dope that we keep getting like a lot of the main guys… It blows my mind.” (79:43)
• Tight End Brotherhood: The unique tight end culture, comparing personalities and fun (81:42).
• On George Kittle: “There’s only one George… You gotta be batshit crazy and football smart.” (83:21)

7. Navigating Fame, Paparazzi & "Catching Kelsey" Regrets

• Fame & Paparazzi: Travis discusses life alongside a global superstar: “It’s just the paparazzi, that’s probably the only thing I didn’t really grasp... playing golf and all of a sudden in the trees, there’s a guy with a camera...” (76:56)
• Public Perception: On his relationship: “It gets thrown out there as seeking attention, but it’s like we’re just enjoying life and having fun.” (78:00)
• Catching Kelsey: Travis gets candid about his reality dating show, calling it "the worst thing I ever did… I don’t even think anybody watched. It was just 50 women from 50 states." (68:15–74:13)

8. Injury Stories, Rookie Hurdles, and Brotherhood

• Early Career Struggles: Travis recounts microfracture surgery his rookie year and doubts about ever making it in the league (41:39–43:36).
• Sibling Dynamics: The childhood competition and admiration with Jason Kelce, and Jason’s transition since retirement.
  • “100%. He was the favorite growing up—honor student, multi-sport, band, everything.” (44:23)

9. Shoutouts & Wholesome/Bizarre Stories

• Shout Out Segment (95:23): The crew highlights fire departments and EMTs (after a scary choking incident), childhood influences, and the Cleveland Heights community.
• Light-hearted Ending: The crew wraps with scatological humor and friendly ribbing—true to the Boys’ brand.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On leadership and motivation:
  “I want to make this dream that I’ve always had the best it’s ever been… being accountable for the guys.” — Travis Kelce (17:51)
• On staying with KC:
  “Kansas City is… the only place I got a home. That is my home.” — Kelce (21:22)
• On booking LeBron:
  “Getting him on the show was like, that Cleveland connection. I’ve been a Cavs fan since I was like two.” — Kelce (27:37)
• On SNL nerves:
  “I want to take advantage of this, but… I want to make them respect my approach… just a fun roller coaster, man.” — Kelce (50:06)
• On Tight End U:
  “It’s just dope that we keep getting a lot of the main guys… It blows my mind.” — Kelce (79:43)
• On tight end brotherhood:
  "A lot of the tight ends are like, whatever you need. I'm here for the good time. ... I'm one of the hardest workers, but at the same time I'm here to have some fun." — Kelce (80:59)
• On regrets about 'Catching Kelsey':
  “The worst thing I ever did was the dating show. Catching Kelsey was the worst thing I ever did.” — Kelce (68:15)
• On approaching retirement:
  “I don’t know what next year is going to feel like… But I know I got one on the contract and I got a hell of a fucking team.” — Kelce (18:57)
• On fame and privacy:
  “It’s just the paparazzi. That’s probably the only thing I didn’t really grasp until you’re in it.” — Kelce (76:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:34–08:00 | Nebraska vs. Cincinnati rivalry, trash talk, wagers | | 13:20 | Chasing Chiefs touchdown records, current KC offense | | 17:51 | Leadership after playoff loss, offseason mindset | | 18:57 | Facing football mortality and focusing on last contract year | | 27:37 | LeBron on "New Heights", podcast guest booking | | 32:27 | Kelce on Super Bowl loss, accountability, leadership | | 50:06 | Hosting SNL, nerves, and acting vs. football | | 68:15 | Regrets about "Catching Kelsey" dating show | | 76:56 | Navigating newfound fame and paparazzi | | 79:43 | Tight End U, charity, and TE brotherhood |

Episode Tone & Style

• Authentic locker room banter mixed with honest, vulnerable moments.
• Mutual respect, plenty of ball-busting, storytelling, and laughter.
• Occasional raw language, especially when emphasizing passion or regret.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode delivers on classic Bussin’ energy: fast-paced, hilarious, candid, and ever insightful for both die-hard football fans and those interested in the world behind the gridiron. Travis Kelce is open about his hunger for more, the humility that comes from setbacks, how much the Chiefs and Kansas City mean to him, and the awkwardness and fun of being a crossover star. The Boys pepper the show with deep questions, good-natured jabs, and memorable stories from both their on-field and off-field adventures.

A must-listen for fans of football, pop culture crossovers, and anyone interested in the mindset of an all-time NFL great facing his “what’s next”—and still hungry for more.