Travis Kelce isn’t suiting up this Sunday, but that didn’t stop the All-Pro tight end from weighing in on Super Bowl LX - and he didn’t hold back when it came to picking a side.
On the latest episode of New Heights, the podcast he co-hosts with his brother Jason, Kelce closed out the show with a deep dive into the upcoming matchup between New England and Seattle. And while he gave both teams their due, it’s clear where his heart - and head - are leaning.
“I do think that, uh, Seattle's got what it takes to kind of come out on top on this one,” Kelce said. “I can't say I'm… I'm not here rooting for Sam Darnold, man. I just, I love that story.”
And who can blame him? Darnold’s career has been a winding road since he was taken third overall by Carolina in 2018.
After bouncing between teams and struggling to find his footing, Seattle gave him a fresh start - and he’s responded with the best football of his pro career. Kelce made it clear he’s not just pulling for the quarterback because of the comeback narrative - he respects the way Darnold has stayed true to himself and the process.
“Right now he is… he is playing better than he has played all career,” Kelce added.
But Kelce didn’t just gush about Darnold. He broke down both teams with the kind of insight you’d expect from one of the smartest offensive minds in the game. When it comes to New England, Kelce pointed to coaching and game management as key strengths, referencing past conversations with Julian Edelman and praising head coach Mike Vrabel’s approach.
“Obviously huge Vrabel fans,” Kelce said. “Drake Maye’s got his opportunity to implement his self into Super Bowl stardom and I just think it's gonna be a great game.”
Maye, the rookie quarterback who’s taken the reins in New England, has a shot to make a name for himself on the league’s biggest stage. Kelce sees the potential for a breakout, especially under the guidance of a battle-tested staff and a system that’s been built to support him.
But it’s Seattle that really has Kelce’s attention. He pointed to their energy, explosiveness, and versatility - a team that can hit you with chunk plays one minute and grind it out on the ground the next.
“They got the juice, they got the energy, they got the excitement, they got the big play ability,” Kelce said. “You know, they got the ability to grind it out in the run game.”
Seattle’s offense has been dynamic down the stretch, keeping defenses off balance with a mix of aerial fireworks and physical running. And that defense? It’s aggressive, fast, and disruptive - the kind of unit that makes life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
As for Kelce’s own future, that’s still a bit of a mystery. His contract with Kansas City has expired, and while the Chiefs reportedly want him back for 2026, nothing’s been finalized. What we do know: he’s excited about Eric Bieniemy returning as offensive coordinator - a reunion that could tip the scales toward another run in red and gold.
For now, though, Kelce’s focus is on Sunday’s showdown. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.
MT at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. And while he won’t be on the field, he’ll be watching - like the rest of us - to see if Sam Darnold can complete one of the most compelling comeback stories in recent memory.