Travis Kelce Discusses His Forthcoming NFL Season, Future Aspirations After Football, and Life with Taylor Swift
In the dimly lit dining room of a Miami restaurant, Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end, is reunited with his long-time speed-and-agility coach, Tony Villani. This reunion marks a significant shift for Kelce, who moved his off-season operations to Los Angeles a few years ago to pursue a burgeoning second career in film and television.
Kelce's return to Villani is after a hiatus, which occurred when he moved his off-season operations to Los Angeles. This move, while beneficial for his entertainment career, was acknowledged by Kelce as a contributing factor to a decline in his football performance.
Tony Villani, a Fort Lauderdale-based speed-and-agility coach, originally trained Kelce for the 2013 NFL Combine and has worked with him during the summers for much of his professional career. The two have a history dating back to Kelce's NFL combine, and Kelce's return to Villani indicates a desire to focus on his football career after a disappointing Super Bowl season.
For the 2025 offseason, Kelce returned to train with Villani in South Florida, near Fort Lauderdale, at XPE Sports. Kelce stated that the offseason away from Villani and the distraction from off-field pursuits like acting and his relationship with Taylor Swift led to a drop in his football standards. Returning to Villani’s training in South Florida represents a rededication to the rigorous preparation that made Kelce a top-tier tight end.
Kelce's goal is clear: win another Super Bowl and return to his peak performance. This move aims to help him regroup from last season's lopsided defeat in the Super Bowl and regain his elite playing form.
As Kelce enjoys a course of hamachi crudo, a delicacy he did not encounter growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, his voice can be heard over the young woman singing on the restaurant's stage. The young woman is covering Sade's "The Sweetest Taboo" and other quiet storm standards, adding to the ambiance of the restaurant.
Travis Kelce's decision to return to Villani in South Florida is a testament to his commitment to football and his pursuit of another Super Bowl victory. With Villani's guidance, Kelce hopes to regain his elite playing form and achieve his football goals.
Travis Kelce, now back in Florida to work with coach Tony Villani, acknowledges that his move to Los Angeles and distractions from acting and his relationship with Taylor Swift previously contributed to a drop in his football performance. In unison with his goal to win another Super Bowl and return to peak form, Kelce seeks Villani's guidance to regain his elite playing style in American football, specifically NFL and football, the sports he is known for.