New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Episode 152: "Engagement Advice, Eagles Banner Night, Chiefs in Brazil & NFL Season Preview with Alex Smith"
Date: September 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively season-opening episode, Jason and Travis Kelce celebrate huge personal and NFL milestones. They discuss Travis’s engagement to Taylor Swift, swap proposal stories, and offer advice to fans considering popping the question. The brothers preview the new NFL season, weigh in on major headlines—including the Micah Parsons trade—and share what to expect from the Eagles' banner night and the Chiefs' historic season opener in Brazil. Three-time Pro Bowl QB Alex Smith joins for an in-depth conversation about Travis’s early career, Andy Reid's coaching genius, and bold NFL predictions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travis’s Engagement & Relationship Advice

[01:51 - 05:57, 10:00 - 13:00]

• Announcement: Jason playfully forces Travis to address the big news: "In case you missed the Instagram post heard around the world, Travis and Taylor are engaged." [01:52, Jason]

  • Travis thanks both brothers and the fan community for their excitement.

• On Calling Taylor His Fiancée:

  • "There's something different about calling somebody your fiancée...it felt way more official." [02:44, Jason]
  • "It was my first time introducing Taylor as my fiancée to a few of my teammates. So, yeah, it was pretty cool." [03:01, Travis]

• Advice to Listeners Contemplating Proposing:

  • "You gotta know your gal or your significant other. You can't let how somebody else does it make you feel like you need to do it that way." [03:24, Travis]
  • "You can't read about it in a Cosmopolitan magazine. You gotta know your person." [03:37, Jason]

• Funny Bachelor Party Exchanges:

  • The brothers and intern Brandon joke about wedding invites and bachelor parties, with Travis quipping, "I invite you guys everywhere," but later defers on finalized plans. [05:06, Travis]

Memorable Moment

• On Public Engagement Reactions:
  • "It's been really fun telling everybody who I'm going to be spending the rest of my life with." [02:20, Travis]

2. College Football Recap & Tailgate Announcement

[09:27 – 16:26]

• They dissect Cincinnati vs. Nebraska, celebrating both teams and shouting out players ("Walker #3 was giving us’s little...making guys miss” [11:24, Jason]), and debate whose jorts Jason was wearing.

• Funny Beer Story:

  • Jason and Travis realize mid-game they were drinking non-alcoholic beer, with Travis laughing: “I showed up sober...wondering what the hell was up.” [14:32, Travis]

• Tailgate Plans:

  • “Ultimate New Heights fan experience...barbecue, contests, merch...and it’s completely free.” [08:13, Jason]
  • “Kansas City always shows up. KCP&L is always a good ass time.” [09:19, Travis]

3. Chiefs’ Historic Game in Brazil

[18:04 – 22:39]

• Travel & Prep:

  • "It’s not like you’re going to the other side of the world in time zones, but we’re traveling half a day." [18:17, Travis]
  • Discuss logistics (stadium 2 hours from hotel, managing jet lag, prepping film on the plane) and joke about “getting their Russell Wilson on” or bringing a Nintendo Switch for the flight.

• International Experience:

  • "This will be my fifth country I've played in...Europe and South America. NFL's got to keep expanding." [21:26, Travis]
  • Anticipate intense Brazilian fan energy.

• Previewing the Chargers:

  • On Jim Harbaugh’s coaching: "They’re gonna be tough as nails. They got heart. You're gonna get a well-disciplined football team.” [23:49, Travis]

4. NFL Season Preview & Major Headlines

[23:49 – 37:01, 81:27 – 96:39]

Chiefs-Chargers Matchup:

• Discuss Chargers’ new additions (Najee Harris, Makai Becton, Rashawn Slater’s injury), Rashee Rice’s suspension, and practical game “keys”:
  • “Don’t turn the ball over. Stats are stats, dude. The amount of fumbles in Week 1 – it’s insane.” [27:36, Travis]
  • "Stop the run, eliminate penalties and mistakes." [27:57, Jason]

Eagles-Cowboys Opening Bash:

• “Could you think of a better way for the Philadelphia Eagles to start the NFL season coming off a Super Bowl than playing the Dallas Cowboys and dropping a banner?” [29:00, Jason]
  • "They’ve all turned the page and you have to focus on this year. But the banner isn’t for them. It’s for the fans." [34:02, Jason]
  • Discuss Siriusanni’s decision: "Eagles will not be on the field for the banner drop." [33:53, Travis]
  • Jason’s players to watch: “Moro Ojomo...keep that name in the back of your head...Jalen Carter’s gonna get a lot of attention, but I think Moro’s gonna have a good year.” [31:32, Jason]

NFL in 2025:

• YouTube offers free global live stream of NFL kickoff; discuss the evolution of media, coverage, and fandom.

5. Special Guest: Alex Smith Interview

[44:31 – 111:09]

Travis’s Rookie Years & Andy Reid’s Impact:

• Alex’s First Impressions:

  • Did you expect Travis to have a Hall of Fame career? “Hell no. Hell no.” [45:32, Alex]
  • “There were some question marks about Trav and his professionalism coming in.” [45:56, Alex]
  • “He didn't even play his rookie year...there were huge question marks, Jason, for sure.” [46:16, Alex]

• On Andy Reid:

  • “He has this aura—downright like you’re afraid of him in certain instances—but he always wants the best for you.” [48:42, Jason]
  • “That’s what coaching is: tough love...the best thing about Andy is the no judgment.” [49:24, Alex]

• Travis’s Improvisational Growth:

  • Alex recounts a memorable play: “You just kept running across the field! I threw him the ball...it turned into a 30-yard gain.” [51:10, Alex]
  • Travis: “If I can feel the quarterback’s at the top of his drop, and what we called isn't working, I'm doing something else.” [58:08, Travis]
  • Jason: “You gotta be a free spirit to all of a sudden whip this out in the middle of a game...anyone analytical, showing up early and reading the playbook isn’t doing this.” [56:58, Jason]

On Transfer to San Francisco & Harbaugh vs. Reid:

• Alex Smith discusses imposter syndrome and the pressure of being the #1 overall pick:
  • “Being a first-time pro and #1 pick in San Fran, I felt I had to be perfect...real imposter syndrome.” [62:40, Alex]
  • On Jim Harbaugh: “He eats, breathes, and sleeps football...his life goals were play, coach, and die.” [67:25, Alex]
  • On Aloha shirts vs. Blue-collar shirts: “Jim gifted every guy a blue-collar shirt...Big Red’s in aloha shirts. We got blue-collar shirts vs. aloha shirts—going at it in Sao Paulo!” [70:05, Alex]

NFL Draft, Mahomes’ Arrival, and Kansas City Culture:

• “The beauty of what Andy set up—when Pat [Mahomes] finally played, he was going to be successful. There was no ‘roll the dice’ happening.” [76:09, Alex]
• On being a mentor:
  • “Pat came in...humble, ready to work. There was never a prima donna ego.” [73:51, Alex]

6. League Topics: Trades, Coaches, & Predictions

[81:27 – 101:57]

Micah Parsons Trade Reaction:

• "I just could not believe they traded him...If you’re going to, get a Herschel Walker-type trade. But for two late first-rounders and Kenny Clark? I think it’s a horrible trade." [81:51, Alex]
  • Jason: “Statistically the chances of replacing Parsons’ impact with two late firsts are so low.” [84:02, Jason]
  • On Jerry Jones: “He’s never negotiated a contract before, and Jerry’s the GM, owner, and negotiating directly...The power dynamic feels icky.” [85:11, Alex]

New Coaches to Watch:

• Ben Johnson (Bears), Vrabel (Patriots), Liam Coen (Jags), Allen (Saints), Kellen Moore (Saints), Aaron Glenn (Jets), Chip Kelly (Raiders, OC) discussed.
  • Jason: “Dennis Allen as DC always gave me fits. He can stop the run in a shell just by moving guys around—it was always an issue.” [91:32, Jason]
  • On Pete Carroll (Raiders): “One of his core fundamentals is joy. Just still chewing that gum.” [93:06, Jason]

Bold Season Predictions:

• Alex Smith: “The ‘23 QB class could go down as one of the greatest of all time...maybe the best ever.” [78:12, Alex]

  • Discussed standouts: Jaden Daniels, Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, J.J. McCarthy, Drake May, Penix Jr.

• Sleeper Teams:

  • Giants (big defensive turnaround), Tampa Bay Bucs (“They can make a real run”), Rams (love Stafford, Jared Verse), and 49ers (less talked about but still loaded).
    • “You start yapping off coming into Philly and then play your ass off? Respect.” [95:38, Jason]
    • “The Niners are a little less talked about this year because of last season, but they still have all the pieces.” [96:03, Jason]

7. No Dumb Questions Segment

[96:39 – 110:56]

• Is the NFL Getting Softer?

  • Jason launches into a tongue-in-cheek rant about the banning of smelling salts:
    • “NFL’s gone soft, man. ... Now we got all these prima donnas. Don’t want to be a team player. ... What happened to smash mouth football?” [97:12, Jason]
  • Alex: “He drops Patrick Willis in a list of old timers. ... Patrick Willis only retired like six years ago!” [98:26, Alex]
  • On jersey swaps: “It’s weird to see guys taking pictures with jerseys postgame after getting their ass kicked. Should be more old school.” [98:52, Alex]

• Can an Average Guy Get a Yard in the NFL?

  • "Zero percent chance. Not even King Henry's getting a yard with average dudes blocking.” [103:05, Jason]
  • Debate funniest position for an average dude. Jason: “Middle linebacker. Just completely lost. Put the GoPro on him for TV.” [104:11, Jason]

• Who Taught You Film Study?

  • Alex: “Early in my career coverages were simple buckets—now it’s all hybrid, changes on the fly.” [105:19, Alex]
  • Jason: “I learned from Jeff Saturday—study the D-line in detail, look for every tell.” [106:06, Jason]
  • Travis on defensive prep: “Mike DeVito had spreadsheets every week, breaking down everything you could see...I realized I was playing at such a basic level compared to that.” [109:52, Travis]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Did you expect Travis to be a Hall of Famer?”
  Alex Smith: “Hell no. Hell no.” [45:32]

• On Chiefs-Chargers in Brazil:
  Travis Kelce: “It’s the most unique it’s ever been...but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited.” [18:17]

• On Andy Reid’s Coaching:
  Jason Kelce: “He has this aura...but you always feel like he just wants the best for you. ... The line between disciplinarian and player’s coach.” [48:42]

• On the Micah Parsons trade:
  Alex Smith: “I think it is a horrible trade. To be very clear.” [83:57]

• On being a rookie in the NFL:
  Alex Smith: “It was real imposter syndrome...How long till they find out they made a mistake?” [62:40]

• On Banner Night:
  Jason Kelce: “The banner isn’t for them. It’s for the fans.” [34:02]

• On Travis’s play style:
  Alex Smith: “Kind of the early dawn of Trav improvisation...trav always open. When in doubt, just find this guy.” [56:00]

• On NFL evolution:
  Jason Kelce: “I miss the wedge unit. But also...we probably shouldn’t do that anymore.” [101:57]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Engagement & Advice: 01:51 – 05:57
• Tailgate & College Football Recap: 09:27 – 16:26
• Chiefs in Brazil Discussion: 18:04 – 22:39
• NFL Season Preview & Keys: 23:49 – 37:01
• Alex Smith Interview Start: 44:31
• Travis’s Early Career Reflection: 45:24 – 54:27
• Andy Reid/Harbaugh Comparison: 65:39 – 70:05
• Mahomes’ Arrival & Mentorship: 71:07 – 76:49
• Micah Parsons Trade Analysis: 81:27 – 89:17
• New Coaches Breakdown: 90:23 – 93:13
• Season Predictions & Bold Takes: 93:24
• No Dumb Questions/Film Study: 96:39 – 110:56

Conclusion

This dynamic, candid episode mixes football insight, playful family banter, and unfiltered opinions on the state of the league. The Kelces and Alex Smith give listeners rare inside perspective from the locker room to the broadcast booth, mixing deep analysis with the irreverence fans love. Whether discussing wedding proposals, Andy Reid’s life lessons, or dissecting NFL trades and season outlooks, this is New Heights at its best: brotherly, expert, and straight from the heart.