Kinsey and Kelce nearly teamed up with Kansas City Chiefs during NFL Draft, but selection paths diverged
Chips All the Way: Travis Kelce's Entire NFL Journey with the Kansas City Chiefs and His Older Brother, Jason
From draft day What-ifs to Super Bowl triumphs, the NFL never disappoints! This year, Travis Kelce is returning for another run with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jason Kelce, his older brother, however, spent all 13 of his pro seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before bidding adieu in 2024.
A Close Call for Kelce Brothers
Jason's draft day story is engulfed in a major NFL what-if moment. As a young offensive lineman fresh out of the University of Cincinnati, Jason found himself in the crosshairs of two teams - the KC Chiefs and the Eagles.
After six long rounds and 190 picks, Jason was still waiting to be picked before the seventh round ended. He was about to call it quits when the Eagles finally grabbed him as the 191st pick. However, a near miss is always a thing with the NFL draft!
Almost a Kelce Reunion
The Chiefs stood by their No. 199 pick in 2011. If the Eagles had passed on Jason, the Chiefs could have snatched him up and reunited the Kelce brothers in the NFL just two years later when Travis joined the Chiefs as the 63rd pick.
The Draft Evolution
Over the years, the NFL Draft has ballooned from a low-key hotel event to a massive three-day spectacle, drawing millions of viewers on multiple networks. The crowds have grown along with the event, with over 275,000 fans attending the first round of last year's draft in downtown Detroit!
Franchise-Changing Decisions
The draft is notorious for its make-or-break moments, influenced by critical decisions that affect players, coaches, and teams for years to come. For instance, Patrick Mahomes could have been drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2017 instead of John Ross, a first-round bust. Instead, Mahomes wound up with the Chiefs, ultimately winning three Super Bowl trophies!
Upcoming Draft Class
This year's draft is expected to be light on top-tier quarterback talent compared to the stacked 2024 class, headlined by Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, and Jayden Daniels. The Chiefs hold eight selections in the 2025 Draft, with likely picks such as two-way phenom Travis Hunter, Saquon Barkley-esque Ashton Jeanty, and prospect Will Campbell on the rise.
[1] Jason Kelce Wikipedia
[2] Pro-Football-Reference.com
[3] NFL.com
[4] CBS Sports
[5] Sports Illustrated
- Travis Kelce, with the NFL Draft's unpredictable nature, might have had a Kelce brother reunion in Kansas City had the Eagles not selected his older brother, Jason, in 2011.
- Speaking of drafts, the NFL Draft has expanded significantly over the years, transforming from a subtle hotel event into a three-day extravaganza watched by millions across various networks.
- The NFL Draft often produces franchise-altering decisions, and one example is the selection of Patrick Mahomes by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, which fortunately didn't overlap with the Cincinnati Bengals' choice of John Ross instead.
- The 2025 NFL Draft could see the Chiefs drafting stars like two-way sensation Travis Hunter, promising runner Ashton Jeanty, and prospect Will Campbell.
- Jason Kelce's draft day story is shrouded in a significant 'What-if' moment, as he nearly got picked by the Chiefs before going to the Eagles as the 191st pick.
- The NFL is a league where the brothers Kelce have carved out impressive careers in football. Travis has been a key player for the Kansas City Chiefs, while Jason embarked on a 13-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Upcoming sports events to keep an eye on include the Super Bowl, MLB, Premier League, NBA, and F1, all of which boast intense competition, unpredictable moments, and awe-inspiring performances.
