Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce ditches long hair, debuts new look at training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs convened for training camp on July 27, 2025, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and one of the first things fans noticed was Travis Kelce’s new haircut. The three‑time Super Bowl champion, who had spent the offseason growing out his hair past his eyebrows, showed up sporting a clean, military‑style buzz cut. The Chiefs’ official Instagram post simply read,

“Fresh cut Trav 😮‍💨,”

Capturing his broad smile as he stepped onto the practice field.

Just days earlier, a TikTok video from the team had shown Travis arriving with shaggy locks draping over his forehead and a full beard. That look had become something of a summer trademark for the tight end, fueled by countless media snapshots and fan posts. Now, with the season less than a month away, Kelce’s drastic hairstyle switch marks a clear break from his longer style.

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How Travis Kelce’s hairstyle changed over the summer

At the end of last season, Travis Kelce began letting his hair grow longer, framing his face with loose strands and pairing it with a fuller beard. Video clips from both the Super Bowl victory tour and offseason events showed him running a hand through his locks while signing autographs.

His barber, Vince Garcia, celebrated one of those cuts on Instagram story, writing,

“Always good catching up with my brother @killatrav. Glad you’re running it back next season fam, you def one of the best TEs to ever play the game”.

As the weeks passed, that longer look took hold, becoming part of Kelce’s public persona, until this week’s abrupt return to a buzz cut.

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How the new haircut reflects Travis Kelce's focus for the season

Swapping long hair for a buzz cut can signal more than a style choice; it can reflect a player’s mindset going into camp. Head coach Andy Reid praised Kelce’s shape on day one, noting,

“He’s svelte right now and looks younger than ever,”

As reporters observed him moving through drills. Travis echoed that sentiment himself, telling local media,

“I feel quicker and more comfortable when nothing’s in my face.”

He also noted that losing roughly 25 pounds in offseason workouts helped him feel lighter and faster. Taken together, the haircut and weight loss highlight a veteran’s decision to fine-tune every detail before the season begins.

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What fans and teammates said about the haircut

Reactions to Kelce’s buzz cut poured in immediately. One fan posted

“LETS GO KILLATRAV”

Under the Chiefs’ social update, while another declared,

“Killatrav is back, football is back, LFG.”

Across Instagram, someone wrote simply,

“Clean”

Celebrating the neat trim.

Yet another message read;

“WE KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS. NFL DEFENSES START WORRYING,”

Capturing the sense that Travis's readiness could spell trouble for opponents. Even teammate Patrick Mahomes got in on the fun, joking on a live stream,

“Yes SIR!! Guess who’s back”

Before bursting into laughter. These varied responses highlight how invested fans and teammates are in every aspect of Kelce’s presentation.

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In straightforward terms, Travis's choice to ditch longer locks in favor of a buzz cut shows he’s all-in on this season’s goals. It’s not about vanity, it’s about comfort, speed, and a clear line of sight on the field.

Whether the hairstyle itself translates to better stats remains to be seen, but it does send a message: Kelce is focused, disciplined, and ready for whatever the 2025 NFL season throws at him. For fans, it’s another talking point, but for Kelce, it’s simply part of the work required to perform at the highest level.