Chiefs head coach Andy Reid shared his thoughts on tight end Travis Kelce’s remarkable NFL career legacy as the star player approaches the probable final chapters of his professional journey. Reid, who has been Kelce’s coach for 13 years, reflected on their long-standing relationship and Kelce’s growth both on and off the field.
“He’s phenomenal. I mean, he’s been great for this organization. You know, anytime you’re with a guy for 13 years, you end up being close to that player,”
Reid said, via Chiefs Wire.
“I’ve watched him grow as a player and as a man, and we haven’t talked about last year’s in that, so you hope he plays forever, but that’s probably not going to happen to any of us. So whenever he decides to hang it up, he’s built a great legacy here, and if he decides this is it, that’s it; if not, more power to him.”
Veteran Players Embrace New Opportunities and Challenges
Several veteran NFL players are entering fresh chapters with new teams or facing pivotal moments ahead of upcoming seasons. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw signed with the Denver Broncos as an unrestricted free agent after spending six years with the San Francisco 49ers. Greenlaw highlighted the strong recruitment efforts by Broncos coach Sean Payton, expressing how the genuine interest made him feel valued.
“They wanted me, you know what I mean? Throughout the whole time I was talking to Sean, there was never no ifs, ands, buts, maybe this or that. It was like, ‘Man, we want you to be here.’ And I was a foster kid growing up, so there’s not a lot of times that people just wanted me. You know what I’m saying? So it just made me feel special. It made me feel like this is the place where I needed to be,”
Greenlaw said, via ProFootballTalk.
He further credited the people within the Broncos organization—including Payton and the Penners family—as critical reasons he chose Denver.
“The people that’s in the organization, Sean, the Penners, and then the guys . . . I just wanted to be a part of that,”
Greenlaw added.
“I wanted to be where I was accepted, where I was wanted it. And this was the right place for me.”
Regarding his physical condition, Payton noted that Greenlaw has experienced some tightness but assured it is unrelated to a previous quad strain, according to Chris Tomasson.
Chargers’ Jamaree Salyer Transforms His Approach to Conditioning
Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer of the Los Angeles Chargers addressed how offseason advice from the team’s executive director of player performance, Ben Herbert, motivated him to lose weight and improve his career prospects. Herbert encouraged Salyer by emphasizing personal responsibility for his football future.
“It’s for your career. It’s for you,”
Salyer recalled Herbert saying, via Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
“This is what I would like for you, but it’s up to you. It’s your career. You control it. It’s your destiny.”
Salyer responded by shedding 35 pounds during the offseason, prompting noticeable improvements in his agility and lateral movement. Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman praised Salyer’s development, saying,
“He’s a different guy when you subtract 35 pounds of bad weight. His ability to move laterally (and) change direction quickly is so much better. … He’s got some really good playing experience. He’s got good instincts. He’s a big, physical guy that last year, quite frankly, was held back by just the shape he was in.”
Reflecting on a difficult game in which he allowed three sacks against the Houston Texans last season, Salyer used the experience as a learning tool. “Everybody plays bad games,” he said.
“I looked at it, I learned from it, and I just grew. Obviously, I would love for my best games to be in the biggest moments like that, but sometimes that’s life. So, taking a situation like that and not letting the Houston game turn into Year 4, and then ‘what the hell happened?’ and then the end of your career. That’s really my biggest thing.”
Devin White’s Fresh Start with the Raiders Raises Expectations
Linebacker Devin White prepares to begin his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders after a turbulent 2024 that saw him play for the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism about White’s return to form, recalling the All-Pro linebacker’s previous elite performances with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“He’s back,” Carroll said, via the team’s official YouTube channel.
“He was on top of the world a few years ago and then things just didn’t work out for one reason or another. He’s back in action now. He came up to me and said ‘I’m all in now.’ And he was dead serious in how he said it.”
Understanding the Importance of Player Careers and Legacies
The reflections from coaches and players across the NFL highlight the significance of individual legacies and career management in professional football. Andy Reid’s tribute to Travis Kelce underscores how longevity, dedication, and character contribute to a player’s lasting impact on a franchise. Likewise, veterans like Greenlaw and White demonstrate how transitions and embracing new environments can rejuvenate careers, while players such as Salyer emphasize the essential role of physical conditioning and self-discipline in sustaining success. As players approach pivotal decisions about retirement or renewed commitments, their choices will shape the future narratives of their teams.