Travis Kelce has lifted the lid on his post-game conversation with Bill Belichick as the pair were spotted on the field following the Chiefs' win over the Patriots.
Cameras captured Belichick sharing a warm embrace with the Kansas City team after the Chiefs' 27-17 victory at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
The precise details of their conversation were unclear, but Wednesday during the latest episode of New heightsKelce discussed with his brother Jason what he told the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach – and why.
“I just said how much I respect him and that it's always the biggest challenge I face in the National Football League against any of his defenses,” Kelce said.
“I wanted to make sure he heard that from me because it was a pleasure competing against him all these years.”
Travis Kelce and Bill Belichick shared a conversation after the Chiefs defeated the Patriots
Kelce revealed what he said to the legendary coach on his podcast with brother Jason
With the Patriots sitting at 3-11 after the loss to the Chiefs, the 71-year-old Belichick's future as head coach after the end of this season is unclear.
'After the match I was asked: did I have the feeling that this would be the last time or something? And honestly, I just went up to him to pay my respects,” Kelce continued.
“In the 10 years I've been competing against him, I really appreciate the challenge every time – hats off to him for always being so great.”
The tight end reiterated comments he made after the game when he suggested Belichick's time at the top is not over.
“They asked me if this was the last time, and I just thought, 'I don't know,'” Kelce said.
“It may not be here, whatever situation is going on here, it may not be this, but this guy still has some football left in him.”
“I just said how much I respect him and how this is always the biggest challenge,” Kelce said
Eagles center Jason also praised Belichick, who has been in charge of the Patriots since 2000.
“I don't know what's going to happen, but I do know this: he's one of the best football coaches of all time. He's standing there with all of them.
“I don't think people really realize how good of a coach he is, how smart he is, how creative he is, how detailed those defenses are.”
Travis added, “What a good leader he is… the intangibles, you know what I mean?”
And then his brother continued, “He gets the best out of everyone who plays for him… he's such a phenomenal coach, it's weird to hear what's being said. It's hard to imagine a guy of that stature not being coveted by anyone in the NFL.”