Why Jason and Travis Kelce went months “without talking to each other”

Jason and Travis Kelce are one of the most well-known sibling duos in NFL history—but there was a time when the brothers weren’t as connected as they are today.

Jason, a longtime center for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Travis, a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, recently revealed that they went months without speaking to each other before launching their popular podcast, New Heights.

In a recent interview with Bustle, Jason Kelce, 37, reflected on how their relationship has changed in recent years.

A Relationship Strengthened by New Heights

The New Heights podcast, which debuted in September 2022, has become a major success, giving fans an inside look at the NFL through the eyes of two of its most accomplished players. More importantly, it also helped bridge the gap between the Kelce brothers.

“The best part of the podcast is just getting to talk to Trav,” Jason revealed. “Before we started the podcast, we would go months sometimes without talking to each other. The podcast forces us once a week to sit down and talk to each other.”

The revelation helps explain why the brothers had fallen out of regular contact in the years prior, as their demanding careers and the distance between them took a toll on their relationship.

“We both have a lot going on in our lives, and it’s been fun—after all these years being in different cities and fighting to make it in the football landscape—to rekindle the amount of times that we talk and the closeness that we have growing up our entire lives,” Jason told Bustle.

Jason, who spent 13 seasons with the Eagles before retiring in March 2024, had his own battles in Philadelphia, while Travis was forging his legacy in Kansas City. When they weren’t preparing for games or dealing with the pressures of the NFL, they were living in separate worlds.

Despite the gap in their communication before New Heights, Jason has always been supportive of his younger brother.

“I try not to be too much of an advice person and more like a support person [for Travis],” he told Bustle. “If he asks me for stuff or my opinion on whatnot, I’ll be there for him. I’ve never tried to tell him what to do or how to do things. I firmly believe you’ve got to go and learn that stuff for yourself and figure that out.”

Jason’s Mixed Emotions Over the Super Bowl

This year’s Super Bowl was particularly emotional for Jason, as his former team, the Eagles, defeated Travis’ Chiefs 40-22. Reflecting on the experience, Jason admitted he had “mixed emotions” watching his brother play against the team he had spent his entire career with.

“That game was odd for me to watch if I’m being completely honest,” Jason wrote in a social media post. “On one hand, I wanted what is best for my brother, and to see his success. And on the other hand, there are so many people, teammates, and coaches, in the Philadelphia Eagles organization that I care deeply about.”

Despite the loss, Jason made it clear that he is immensely proud of Travis.

“There isn’t a person I love or care about more,” he wrote. “It has been tough to process these feelings, of course, I feel for him and am always rooting for him, but I know he does not need, nor want my pity. He has amassed greatness few on this planet could ever dream of, as has his team, and they should feel pride in their accomplishments this season and in the past.”

Family Ties and Taylor Swift’s Support

Beyond football, Jason has also built a strong relationship with Travis’ girlfriend, pop superstar Taylor Swift. Since Travis and Swift began dating in the summer of 2023, Jason has spoken highly of the singer.

“She’s been nothing but lovely to our family, she’s a wonderful person and I don’t want that to kind of be a dynamic,” Jason said in an interview on The Rich Eisen Show. He also explained that while Swift has offered to help get people concert tickets, he refuses to ask. “It is an immediate no,” he said. “As much as Taylor has said she will take care of anybody that I ask for… I still say no to everybody.”

Jason has also attended Swift’s Eras Tour concerts, and during one New Heights episode, he joked that if he tried performing like her for even one song, he’d “have to change my clothes.”