Reid was asked how Kelce has looked during practice over the past three days, and it’s a bit of a flashback for Coach Reid.

“He’s svelte right now,” Reid said, grinning ear to ear. “He’s — it looks like he’s 20. He’s doing a good job. He’s in great shape. And I’m not sure he didn’t come in first on the whole conditioning thing. He was right up front. You can see he’s been working out. You saw him yesterday on the long run where he had the burst, and so, he’s doing a nice job. He’s worked hard to get to this spot.”

The play that Reid references came during 7-on-7 drills, with Kelce working against second-year safety Jaden Hicks in coverage. He had the angle and accelerated past Hicks. He had a nice lead blocker out in front of him in JuJu Smith-Schuster and was able to cross the goal line for a score. 

While Kelce’s physical transformation is primarily about preparing his body for an 18-game NFL season and a potential playoff run, it’s also about setting a standard. Kelce spoke about walking the walk and setting the tone for his team back in mandatory minicamp, something he failed to accomplish on the biggest stage in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming in or near-first in the Chiefs’ conditioning test as a 35-year-old and 13-year NFL veteran certainly sends a message to the rest of the team with practices underway at Missouri Western State.