Travis Kelce’s bluff and red flags resulted in him not being selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Draft.

March 6, 2024

Travis Kelce was one of the best prospects in the NFL after being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, but he was cut by the Dallas Cowboys after a poor interview.

The Dallas Cowboys declined to draft Travis Kelce due to concerns about his career.

On the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason, Travis explained why the Cowboys selected Gavin Escobar and Terrence Williams over him in the 2013 NFL Draft.

“I had some bad interviews at the combine,” Travis explained. β€œThe Cowboys put some pressure on me in a way because of the red flags.”

Jason reminded everyone that Travis did not play for the University of Cincinnati in 2010 because he had problems with marijuana use, which was against team rules.

The Cowboys kept that in mind when talking to Travis, and it led to honest conversations between them and the player.

“I don’t know if I had a bad morning or not. I just don’t know if I want to say that,” Travis turned to Jason. “Everything was over so quickly.

I was basically like, ‘Do you think I’m going to be that kind of guy or am I still that kind of guy after everything I’ve had to go through? Please ask yourself this question.”

To get to where I am after missing a season, I’d probably go somewhere else and pick someone else.

Shortly after Travis told his story, Dallas explained that he had done just that, much to his brother’s delight. But Travis never looked back.

Since being drafted in the third round by the Chiefs with the 63rd overall pick (after drafting and coaching Jason with the Philadelphia Eagles) thanks to an introduction from head coach Andy Reid, Travis has enjoyed a stellar career at the University of Kansas Laden with city.

In addition to helping the Chiefs win three Super Bowls, Travis was also named to seven All-Pro teams, making the first team four times and the second team three times.

Travis has been selected to the Pro Bowl nine times, has the most career catches in the playoffs (165), most seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards by a tight end (7 times), and most consecutive seasons with 1,000 receptions.

He holds the record for more yards. He has the most receiving yards by a tight end (7) and the most receiving yards by a tight end (1,416).

His partnership with Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has brought Kansas City a level of success not seen since the 2000s, when Tom Brady and Bill Belichick ruled the New England Patriots.

In three games against the Cowboys, Travis had 12 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns.

Most of these stats are from 2017 and 2021, as Travis only played against Dallas once during his rookie season.