On the first Sunday of the 2024 NFL season, both Travis and Jason Kelce found themselves far from any football field.

The irony wasn’t lost on the Kelce brothers during the kickoff of their “New Heights” podcast’s 100th episode on Wednesday. Still, they were both very engaged with the game action.

Travis, after his Kansas City Chiefs played in the Thursday Night Football opener, was at the U.S. Open tennis tournament with pop star Taylor Swift, enjoying the men’s singles final. However, he confessed to discreetly watching live football on his mobile device.

“It was prime time for any NFL fan,” Travis noted. “I’ve always been a fan of the NFL first and foremost.”

In the meantime, Jason couldn’t resist poking fun at Travis’s outfit, which Travis described as “the classic country club vibe – featuring a cardigan, button-up shirt, and a matching hat.”

They notably did not discuss Swift’s recent endorsement of Kamala Harris for president during the podcast.

Jason Kelce makes his ‘Monday Night Countdown’ debut

Following his retirement after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason enjoyed watching the Sunday games in the comfort of a friend’s basement, gearing up for his new role as a TV analyst.

In a rather amusing twist, Jason forgot to wear a dress shirt and had to purchase one just minutes before his debut on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown.”

Travis described his brother’s appearance as “very entertaining” before playfully teasing him about the clothing mix-up.

Although Jason expressed some pre-debut anxiety, he acknowledged, “It was great to finally get one done. Now I have a better idea of what to expect for the upcoming week.”

Ironically, Jason Kelce’s crew will be back in Philadelphia on Monday night for the Eagles’ game against the Atlanta Falcons.

“It’s going to be quite the atmosphere,” he joked.

Jason Kelce on Eagles’ revamped ‘Tush Push’

The Eagles took the field for their first game without Kelce on Friday night, scoring a 34-29 victory against the Green Bay Packers in the inaugural NFL match held in Brazil.

“I was active on Twitter to distract myself since I couldn’t participate. I might have been tweeting too much, to be honest,” Kelce admitted.

The primary concern with the transition of converted guard Cam Jurgens stepping in at center was how well the Eagles’ signature “Tush Push” play would perform without Kelce leading it.

Though quarterback Jalen Hurts successfully converted a crucial short yardage play early in the game, a mishandled exchange with Jurgens in a later critical moment led to a costly fumble that could have easily resulted in a touchdown.

Kelce attributed the blunder to the learning curve for Jurgens.

“It’s a tricky play to execute when so many players are trying it for the first time,” he explained. “You’re leaning forward attempting to gain leverage, which makes for an awkward snap if performed correctly. Considering the slick field conditions, various factors likely contributed to the fumble.”

“As time goes on and they gain more practice, I believe their success rate will return to the previous 90-plus percent level.”

Challenges of playing NFL games on soccer fields

Another notable point discussed from the Brazil game was the number of players slipping on what is typically a soccer field.

What caused all the slipping?

“I don’t think it’s the grass that’s the issue; it’s the sod. It’s not firmly established and lacks strength,” Travis suggested. “You either need proper turf or the field has to be sturdy enough for 300-pound players to make quick movements without losing their footing.”

The conditions were similar to those at soccer venues in Europe, which Jason remarked are “designed for smaller European athletes; they aren’t suited for large American players.”