Travis Kelce and Brandon Graham: A Super Bowl Face-Off Relived on New Heights

Travis Kelce has gone face-to-face with Super Bowl nemesis Brandom GrahamCredit: YouTube/ New Heights

April 10, 2025 – The NFL offseason is a time for reflection, and few moments from the 2024 season loom larger than the Kansas City Chiefs’ crushing defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVIII. For Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, the 40-22 loss marked the end of a historic three-peat dream, thwarted in part by a dominant Eagles defense led by veterans like Brandon Graham. Now, two months later, Kelce has come face-to-face with Graham—not on the field, but on the New Heights podcast he co-hosts with his brother, retired Eagles center Jason Kelce. The episode offers a candid look at their rivalry, mutual respect, and the emotional weight of that fateful night in New Orleans, while shedding light on Kelce’s mindset as he navigates an uncertain future.

The Super Bowl That Shattered Dreams

Super Bowl LVIII was billed as the ultimate test for the Chiefs, who were chasing an unprecedented third consecutive championship. Kelce, a four-time All-Pro and three-time Super Bowl champion, was at the heart of Kansas City’s high-octane offense, fresh off breaking Jerry Rice’s record for most career Super Bowl receptions. But the Eagles had other plans. Philadelphia’s defense, orchestrated by coordinator Vic Fangio, overwhelmed the Chiefs from the opening whistle, sacking quarterback Patrick Mahomes six times and holding Kansas City scoreless in the first half. Kelce, typically a focal point of the passing game, was limited to four catches for 39 yards, all in the second half when the game was effectively out of reach.

Brandon Graham, the Eagles’ 37-year-old defensive end, played a pivotal role despite battling a re-torn triceps injury. Though he recorded just one tackle, his presence in the trenches disrupted Kansas City’s rhythm, contributing to the defensive masterpiece that secured Philadelphia’s second Lombardi Trophy. Graham’s performance capped a 15-year career with the Eagles, after which he announced his retirement, cementing his status as a franchise legend. For Kelce, the loss was a bitter pill, compounded by the personal stakes: his brother Jason, a former Eagle, watched from the stands with mixed emotions, torn between loyalty to his sibling and his old team.

A Podcast Reunion with a Twist

The New Heights podcast, hosted by the Kelce brothers, has become a cultural phenomenon, blending football analysis with humor and personal anecdotes. Inviting Graham as a guest was a bold move, given his role in derailing Travis’s three-peat aspirations. Yet, the episode—teased with a trailer on April 8, 2025—promised a lighthearted yet revealing conversation. Jason introduced Graham as a “prolific trash-talker,” a reputation Travis enthusiastically endorsed, calling him “the best.” The trailer hinted at playful banter, with Graham joking about Jason’s distinctive long hair from his early NFL days, prompting laughter from both brothers.

The episode’s significance lies in its ability to humanize a fierce rivalry. Travis and Graham, though adversaries on the field, share a mutual admiration forged through years of competition. Travis has long praised Graham’s trash-talking prowess, recalling moments from their 2023 Super Bowl matchup when Graham chirped at him while their mother, Donna Kelce, appeared on the jumbotron. Such anecdotes underscore Graham’s knack for getting under opponents’ skin, a skill that complemented his physical dominance. For Travis, hosting Graham was a chance to reflect on a career-defining moment—not with bitterness, but with the perspective of a veteran who understands the game’s highs and lows.

The Emotional Weight of Defeat

The Super Bowl loss hit Travis hard. Images of him on the sidelines, staring into space as the Eagles’ lead ballooned, captured a rare moment of vulnerability for the typically ebullient star. Post-game, he spoke briefly to reporters, crediting Philadelphia’s dominance while deflecting questions about his future. Rumors swirled that the 35-year-old might retire, especially after a season where he battled injuries and faced scrutiny over off-field distractions, including his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift. Chiefs GM Brett Veach later revealed that Travis played through a “pretty big illness” before the game, adding context to his subpar performance.

On New Heights, Travis has been open about the emotional toll of the loss, though he’s avoided definitive statements about retirement. His decision to return for the 2025 season, announced on February 27, suggests a fire still burns within him. Hosting Graham offered a chance to confront the defeat head-on, turning a painful memory into a moment of connection. The episode also highlighted Jason’s unique perspective as a retired Eagle who celebrated his former teammates’ victory while empathizing with his brother’s heartbreak. Jason’s social media post after the game summed it up: “There isn’t a person I love or care about more [than Travis], but I know he does not need, nor want my pity.”

Graham’s Legacy and Kelce’s Future

Brandon Graham’s appearance on New Heights wasn’t just about reliving Super Bowl LVIII—it was a celebration of his remarkable career. Drafted in 2010, Graham became a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s defense, earning a Super Bowl ring in 2018 and etching his name in Eagles lore with his strip-sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII. His resilience in 2024, playing through injury to help secure another title, epitomized his grit. Travis’s decision to invite him onto the podcast speaks to the respect he holds for Graham, both as a competitor and a person.

For Travis, the episode marks another step in processing a career at a crossroads. With 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, he remains a productive force, but Father Time is undefeated. The Chiefs are already exploring options to replace him, reportedly meeting with top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Off the field, Travis’s ventures—his podcast, TV appearances, and philanthropy through his Eighty-Seven & Running foundation—suggest a post-football path is taking shape. His relationship with Swift, which drew intense media attention during the season, continues to evolve, with reports indicating the couple is planning a quieter offseason after the Super Bowl frenzy.

The Bigger Picture

The New Heights episode with Graham is more than a postscript to a Super Bowl—it’s a snapshot of the NFL’s ability to blend competition and camaraderie. Travis Kelce and Brandon Graham, though on opposite sides of a historic game, share a bond rooted in their love for football. For fans, the podcast offers a rare glimpse into the minds of two future Hall of Famers, one closing a chapter and the other deciding how many pages remain. As the Raiders, under the influence of another legend, Tom Brady, eye prospects like Jaxson Dart to build their future, Kelce’s story reminds us that even in defeat, greatness endures.

The NFL moves forward, but moments like these—where rivals become storytellers—linger. For Travis Kelce, the road to redemption begins in 2025, and if his laughter with Graham is any indication, he’s ready to face it with the same passion that’s defined his career.

Graham achieved one tackle during the New Orleans showdown before announcing his retirement a month laterCredit: Getty