Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, opened up about his rigorous self-criticism during a press conference at training camp. Speaking to the media on Saturday, July 27, at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo., Kelce, 34, discussed how he handles mistakes on the field.

“I’m my worst critic,” Kelce stated. “Nobody can tell me how bad I did on a play, I know it right away, as soon the play got over with. I know what I need to do to get better and everything.”

He continued, “It’s just — you have to have that certain mentality. Always finding ways to get better, even when you have success on a play.

That’s just how I’ve went about it, and I got that from [head coach Andy Reid], knowing that you can always do things better and you can always make somebody else’s job easier on this field.”

Kelce also reflected on transitioning back into the preseason after a summer filled with travel, TV appearances, and time spent with his popstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift. He fondly referred to the dorms at Missouri Western State University as his “sanctuary.”

“St. Joe’s, year 12. That means I’ve spent about an entire year of my life up here in the dorms,” Kelce remarked. “Everybody may see that it’s pretty grueling, but I enjoy it, man. There’s something about this place that gets you ready every single year, and I’m not gonna lie, I got pretty excited as the time started counting down to get out here and get this thing rolling.”

Open practices for the Chiefs began on July 21 and will continue until August 15. The team’s first preseason game is scheduled against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 10, followed by the regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

The upcoming season holds high expectations for the Chiefs, as Kelce and his teammates aim for a third consecutive Super Bowl victory. In February, the Chiefs secured a 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers, with the 2024 Super Bowl becoming the most-watched telecast in U.S. history, drawing over 123 million viewers. Kelce expressed his optimism for the future during the Vince Lombardi trophy ceremony.

“The goal [has] always been to get three,” he declared. “Believe it, baby. We’re gonna be here next year.”

As the Chiefs gear up for another competitive season, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Kelce and his team can achieve their ambitious goals.