Travis Kelce Comes Back Stronger: 'I'm Ready to Crush the Second Half of the Season'
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, has made a bold statement as he prepares for the second half of the 2025 NFL season: the bye week wasn’t just about rest, it was about mental preparation and recharging to come back stronger than ever. Kelce, one of the NFL’s most dominant and reliable players, made it clear that his focus is sharper than ever and that he’s fully ready to lead the Chiefs to even greater heights in the coming weeks.
In his most recent remarks, Kelce said, “The bye week wasn’t just about rest. It was about resetting my mind. I came back ready to crush the second half of the season. The real work starts now, and I’m more focused than ever.”
A Fresh Mindset Heading into the Final Stretch
While the bye week is often seen as a necessary pause for players to recover physically, Kelce’s comments reveal just how important the mental aspect of the game is. Known for his leadership and high performance, Kelce understands that the grind of an NFL season can take a toll on both the body and the mind. That’s why, rather than just using the time to rest his body, Kelce focused on mental recharging.
"I needed to reset my mind, get my focus back, and remind myself of why I love this game," Kelce explained. "Now, I’m ready to put all my energy into the second half and make sure I’m doing everything I can to help this team win."
The Chiefs Are Poised for a Championship Run
With the Chiefs' eyes set on the playoffs, Kelce’s newfound mindset could be the boost they need to finish the season strong. As one of the best tight ends in NFL history, Kelce’s leadership is crucial for a team that is gearing up for some of its most challenging matchups. His ability to remain focused and locked in will likely play a pivotal role in determining the Chiefs' postseason success.
His comments also emphasize the importance of self-care for professional athletes. While the physical demands of the game are taxing, the mental fortitude required to maintain peak performance over a long season is just as critical. Kelce’s decision to take time to reset his mind speaks volumes about his commitment to both his own well-being and the success of his team.
Looking Ahead
The Chiefs will face some tough competition as they push toward another Super Bowl run. However, with Kelce’s leadership, both on and off the field, and his renewed focus, the team seems more prepared than ever to rise to the occasion.
As Kelce puts it, “The real work starts now.” And with his mind sharp and his body ready, the Chiefs can expect nothing less than the best from their star tight end.
New York Mets are interested in Yankees’ free agent
For the second consecutive offseason, the New York Mets appear to be competing to pry an outfielder away from their crosstown rivals.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets are interested in free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, who spent the 2025 season with the Yankees. Heyman noted that the Mets have openings at center field and first base—two positions Bellinger can play.
https://t.co/Cj9o233gEH Can the Mets possibly sign a star Yankee OF for the second straight winter? They are interested
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 12, 2025
Bellinger, 30, joined the Yankees in a salary-dump trade days after the Chicago Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker last December. It was one of multiple defining moves in the Yankees’ pivot from Juan Soto, who signed a historic 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets after one season in the Bronx.
Over 152 regular-season games in pinstripes, Bellinger hit .272/.334/.480 (.813 OPS) with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs. The left-handed slugger finished with 5.1 bWAR, the highest mark he has produced since his 2019 NL MVP campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers (8.7).
Bellinger not only excelled batting behind Aaron Judge but was also one of the best defenders in baseball. Playing all three outfield positions and first base, he accumulated eight defensive runs saved and was credited with +7 Outs Above Average by Statcast.
An UNBELIEVABLE Cody Bellinger catch secures the Yankees win! pic.twitter.com/XdzM96Amiw
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2025
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has emphasized improving run prevention since the offseason began, citing it as one of the main reasons the team fell short of expectations in 2025. Adding a player with Bellinger’s defensive abilities to the starting lineup could help address that issue, though his exact role would depend on other moves.
When asked about the team’s center field options Tuesday at MLB’s GM meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns said Mets No. 2 prospect Carson Benge will have a chance to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training. The 2024 first-rounder posted an .857 OPS with 15 home runs and 73 RBIs across three levels this past season, though he hit .178/.272/.311 in 24 Triple-A games.
If Benge starts in center, that would leave first base as a potential Pete Alonso replacement or either corner outfield spot as Bellinger’s most realistic long-term fit in Queens. Both Soto and Brandon Nimmo are under contract through at least 2030, so the Mets would likely have to move one to a full-time DH role or trade Nimmo to accommodate Bellinger in the outfield.
At no point during Bellinger’s first nine big-league seasons has he been a full-time first baseman, though he has made 350 career appearances (274 starts) at the position. His career marks of 10 DRS and -1 OAA at first are not as strong as his outfield metrics, though they are noticeably better than Alonso’s defensive numbers (-9 DRS, -9 OAA) in 2025.
If there is one concern about Bellinger’s potential fit in Queens, it is that the Mets already have an abundance of left-handed bats at the top of the lineup. That said, the two-time All-Star led all left-handed hitters in on-base percentage (.415) and slugging (.601) against lefty pitching in 2025.
Like Alonso, Bellinger opted out of the final year of his contract ($25 million guaranteed) in search of a longer-term agreement this offseason. Both Spotrac and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel project Bellinger to secure a six-year deal in free agency—one that would exceed his previous financial guarantee in average annual value.
