Chiefs star Travis Kelce was everywhere this offseason. Now he’s where he wants to be

As a member of Andy Reid’s first draft class in Kansas City, no current player has experienced as many Chiefs training camps as superstar tight end Travis Kelce.

This is his 10th trip to the practice fields, training table and dorms at Missouri Western State University. Kelce and the rest of the team prepped in Kansas City before the pandemic-wrought 2020 season.

Most NFL teams train at their respective practice facilities. The Chiefs make theirs a road trip in less than luxury conditions. Kelce, one of the game’s top players, said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love coming here,” Kelce said. “I’m a big fan of training camp. I’m a big fan of preseason, begin able to lock in on the fundamentals and get your mind straight...The reps you get in practice as so priceless.”

After his busiest offseason yet, Kelce probably could use the football-only atmosphere. Between playing in celebrity golf tournaments, shooting promotional spots, hosting a namesake music festival, dropping by the NFL Draft at Union Station and hosting Saturday Night Live, it’s been a nonstop ride of an offseason.

And the down-time window was already condensed for Kelce and his teammates after winning Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelce hauled in a pass from Patrick Mahomes for the Chiefs’ first touchdown that day, and he got into the end zone in each playoff game leading up to the championship.

Because they won they won that last game, the Chiefs will play in the NFL’s first of the coming season, on Sept. 7 against the Detroit Lions. That meant they started training camp a week earlier than most teams.

Kelce’s 10th season was in some ways his finest yet, with 110 receptions and 12 touchdown receptions — both career bests. He was named first-team All-Pro for the fourth time and made his eighth Pro Bowl, and the idea of being regarded as the best ever to play the position is gaining traction.

His production for 2023 looms large for a team that will rely heavily on players, especially wide receivers, without much experience for the Chiefs.

No current Chiefs wideout has been on the active roster for more than a season. But Kelce is stoked about the group’s upside.

“I’m excited about every young guy we’ve got here,” he said. “There’s no, ‘Let’s wait until these young guys develop.’ They’re ready right now.”

But there is one who isn’t ready. Receiver Kadarius Toney, who caught a touchdown pass and set up another touchdown with a Super Bowl record 65-yard punt return against the Eagles, suffered a knee injury in a pre-pracitce punt-return drill on Sunday and has since missed two practices.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed to get him back as soon as possible,” Kelce said. “It’s about letting him heal up and we’ll take care of the load until he gets back. KT ain’t going anywhere.”

From his own position group, everyone returns. Veteran Noah Gray has been a standout in the first couple of practices, and all the team’s tight ends, including Jody Fortson and Blake Bell, caught at least one touchdown pass last season.

“The tight end room is so stacked right now,” Kelce said.

The leading-receiver role isn’t new to Kelce. He’s topped the Chiefs in receptions seven times in his career, including last year.

The question becomes: How long can he keep up this pace? Kelce will turn 34 this season. He has this year and two more remaining on a contract that will pay him an average annual salary of $14.3 million.

The recovery period from games lasts a little longer now, Kelce said, but training camp is where he lays the foundation.

“I want to get in as many reps as I can,” Kelce said. “There’s no pulling back at all.”