Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce faced scrutiny this offseason regarding his fitness, especially amid rumors of a so-called 'dad bod' following his marriage to Taylor Swift. However, head coach Andy Reid firmly dismissed these concerns, asserting that Kelce returned to training camp in excellent shape as he prepares for his 14th NFL season.

Despite a noted decline in production, with Kelce recording his fewest catches since 2015 last season, Reid emphasized that the tight end's physical condition should not be underestimated.

• Reid's comments on Kelce's fitness:

He came back in good shape. Everybody thought he was going to come back with this 'dad bod' that I heard about. I'm going, 'This guy looks the same as he's always looked.' Everything is tight, man.

Kelce's offseason transformation included shedding 25 pounds and adapting his workout routine to enhance agility. Reports of his fitness were bolstered by his visible performance during training, countering viral AI videos that suggested otherwise.

However, as Kelce enters his 14th year, concerns about his declining performance linger. He averaged 50.1 receiving yards per game last season, the lowest of his career, indicating a struggle to separate from defenders. While the days of 100-plus catches and double-digit touchdowns may be behind him, Kelce remains a crucial component of the Chiefs' offense.

As he continues to navigate the effects of aging, Kelce is expected to maintain a production floor of 700 yards and several touchdowns, even as he transitions to a mentoring role for younger tight ends in the league.