New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Bills New Coach, Championship Preview, Wedding Advice & The New Era of TEs with Greg Olsen | EP 176

January 21, 2026

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  • Greg Olsen is joining the hosts of *New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce* as a highly anticipated guest to discuss the NFL Divisional Round and his career. 
  • Travis Kelce is excited about the rumored return of Eric Bieniemy to the Kansas City Chiefs, viewing him as a favorite coach who was instrumental in the offense's past success. 
  • Jason Kelsey has joined TikTok, sharing videos that prompted humorous commentary from Travis regarding his appearance in close-up shots. 
  • Greg Olsen believes the Rams vs. Seahawks NFC matchup is the best in the entire playoffs, highlighting Seattle's defense as the model for how defenses should be built. 
  • Greg Olsen provided five must-haves for a memorable wedding from the groom's perspective: a short ceremony, an incredible cocktail hour with great food and drinks, excellent music, and ensuring all important people are present, with filming the event being a major regret if skipped. 
  • The position of tight end has evolved from being the league's blue-collar, unsung hero to featuring league-defining stars like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Rob Gronkowski, which has elevated the entire position's status and earning potential. 

Segments

Greg Olsen Arrival & Banter
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(00:45:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Greg Olsen expressed that being a guest on New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce is a career highlight.
  • Summary: Greg Olsen flew in from attending the National Championship game in Charlotte. He joked about the hosts choosing other guests over him in previous episodes. The hosts welcomed him, noting it was long overdue, and transitioned into the show’s segments.
New Merch Reactions
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(00:02:15)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener expressed disappointment that the new merchandise line does not include a ‘New Heights of Manhoodie’ item.
  • Summary: The hosts reviewed fan reactions to the new merchandise available at KelseyClubhouse.com. One fan referenced a lyric, leading to confusion over the term ‘Manhoodie.’ The hosts confirmed they are working on new crew neck sweater designs based on fan requests.
Bieniemy Chiefs Return
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(00:04:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Travis Kelce strongly supports Eric Bieniemy’s alleged return to the Chiefs, valuing his tough coaching style.
  • Summary: The unofficial news suggests Eric Bieniemy will return to Kansas City. Travis Kelce considers Bieniemy one of his favorite coaches, appreciating his tough coaching approach. They anticipate Bieniemy will incorporate lessons learned from his time with Ben Johnson in Detroit.
Jason’s TikTok Debut
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(00:06:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason Kelsey has joined TikTok, posting videos that led to teasing about his nose size.
  • Summary: Jason confirmed he has joined TikTok, posting two videos, including one featuring a Frost Stop root beer mug twirling. Travis teased Jason about his nose appearing large in a close-up video. Jason attributed the appearance to an optical illusion, possibly related to their father’s features.
Greg Olsen Coaching Middle School
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(00:12:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Coaching middle school football is Greg Olsen’s most enjoyable activity, offering a wholesome connection to the game.
  • Summary: Olsen coaches the undefeated Charlotte Christian Middle School team alongside Jonathan Stewart and his father. He noted that many middle school players are new to football, requiring coaches to teach basic equipment handling. He emphasized that coaching young boys who absorb instruction is the most rewarding part of football.
TE/LB Coaching Perspective
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(00:16:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Tight ends often make good coaches because they attend offensive line, passing game, and special teams meetings, gaining a holistic view.
  • Summary: Olsen explained that as a tight end, he spent significant time in offensive line meetings learning run blocking schemes, in addition to offensive passing game installs. This broad exposure provides more useful knowledge for coaching than specialized route running. He noted that dominating the line of scrimmage is key to winning at the middle school level.
Miami Football Pride
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(00:19:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Greg Olsen and the hosts agree that college football is better when the University of Miami is successful.
  • Summary: Olsen reflected on the Miami Hurricanes’ National Championship loss to Indiana, noting it was a clean game despite the outcome. He recalled being intimidated by the sheer talent of his early Miami teammates, like Sean Taylor, Vince Wilfork, and Jonathan Vilma. The hosts agreed that Miami players historically possess unmatched work ethic and toughness.
Bills Coaching Change Analysis
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(00:27:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Greg Olsen predicts the Buffalo Bills will hire an offensive-minded coach to maintain consistency for Josh Allen.
  • Summary: Olsen expressed sympathy for Sean McDermott and Brandon Bean, who came from Carolina, but acknowledged the need for change after repeated playoff failures. He believes the next coach will likely be offensive-minded, possibly promoting Joe Brady, to better support Josh Allen. Olsen noted that Buffalo is the most appealing open head coaching job because the quarterback position is secured.
CJ Stroud’s Playoff Struggles
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(00:33:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Handling CJ Stroud’s poor performance requires a delicate balance of on-field support and careful post-season management to protect his confidence.
  • Summary: Olsen observed that Stroud appeared rattled by the weather, leading to mental errors that spiraled during the game. Teammates and coaches must provide encouragement and easy completions to unburden him in the moment. The organization must now carefully manage accountability without crushing the spirit of their future franchise quarterback.
Catch Rule Controversy
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(00:36:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Greg Olsen and Joe Burrow agree that the controversial Bills playoff catch was correctly ruled based on the current NFL rulebook regarding going to the ground.
  • Summary: Olsen stated that while the process was poorly handled, the call was correct because the receiver must maintain control through the act of hitting the ground. Joe Burrow broke his Twitter silence to express amazement that so many people do not understand the rulebook definition of a catch.
Broncos QB Situation
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(00:46:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Nick Foles advised the Denver Broncos that the Patriots struggle against backup quarterbacks in high-stakes games.
  • Summary: Jared Stidham, who has not thrown a pass all season, must start for the Broncos against the Patriots. Olsen noted that Sean Payton has confidence in Stidham, but the lack of recent game experience presents a major challenge. The situation is comparable to the Eagles losing Carson Wentz but without the benefit of a full season to warm up the backup.
Broncos QB Situation Analysis
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(00:50:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Stidham is expected to perform better than anticipated in the Broncos’ playoff game due to his NFL experience and Sean Payton’s play-calling.
  • Summary: The discussion addressed the challenge facing the Broncos after their starting quarterback’s situation, comparing it to the Wentz/Foles scenario before the NFC Championship. Stidham possesses NFL experience and benefits from Sean Payton’s offensive schemes, suggesting the game might be closer than many assume despite the absence of the primary starter. Bo Nix’s ability as a ‘gamer’ who makes big plays outside the pocket was also noted.
NFC Playoff Matchup Preview
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(00:51:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The Rams versus Seahawks game is viewed as the best matchup in the NFC, featuring the league’s most well-rounded team in Seattle.
  • Summary: Greg Olsen identified the Rams and Seahawks as the two most balanced teams entering the playoffs, possessing strong quarterback play, scoring ability, and defense. Seattle’s defense is praised for its speed, use of hybrid players, ability to play in space, and successfully stopping the run despite light boxes. Olsen compared Seattle’s defensive coordinator, Mike McDonald, to Sean McVay on the offensive side, calling Seattle the most well-rounded team in the league.
Chicago Bears Excitement
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(00:54:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The energy and camaraderie of the current Chicago team, exemplified by Caleb Williams’ magic and Cole Kmet’s plays, are generating significant excitement in Chicago.
  • Summary: The energy of the Seattle team, featuring young players who love to compete, was highlighted, referencing the insane ending of their last game against the Rams. The conversation pivoted to the Bears, noting the electric atmosphere at Soldier Field when the team is competitive. Caleb Williams’ ability to make college-like magic in the NFL, including a crucial fourth-down throw to Cole Kmet, is giving Chicago fans something to cheer for.
Wedding Advice from Greg Olsen
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(02:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Five essential wedding must-haves include keeping the ceremony brief, ensuring an incredible cocktail hour with quality food, prioritizing music, having your core people present, and filming the event.
  • Summary: Greg Olsen advised keeping the ceremony short to maintain guest energy leading into the cocktail hour, which must feature great cocktails and finger foods like sushi or crab cakes. Music is critical for keeping engagement high, whether provided by a large band or a DJ. Olsen stressed the importance of having the people you want to reminisce with the next morning, and strongly regretted not hiring a videographer for his own wedding.
Eccentric QB Comparison
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(06:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Cam Newton is considered more eccentric than Jay Cutler, whose personality was more consistent, though Cutler was not universally liked.
  • Summary: Cam Newton is deemed more eccentric than Jay Cutler, who was described as consistent, tough, and a good teammate, though not everyone connected with his personality. Cam’s flair, evidenced by his fashion choices like the foxtail accessory early in his career, sets him apart. Olsen noted that few players could pull off Cam’s style, whereas Travis Kelce might be perceived as cool wearing similar items.
Underappreciated Former Teammates
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(08:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Frank Gore is cited as a former teammate whose universal respect among players is not fully appreciated by the general public or in Hall of Fame discussions.
  • Summary: Olsen named Frank Gore as a player people forget was a problem for opponents, noting Gore’s universal respect from teammates and coaches. In contrast, stars like Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Devin Hester are generally remembered for their greatness. Olsen also described Julius Peppers as an increasingly massive physical specimen whose perceived size grew every time he played against him.
Girl Scout Cookie Rankings
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(10:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The consensus top Girl Scout Cookie is the Thin Mint, though Caramel Delights (Samoas) are also highly regarded.
  • Summary: The hosts unanimously agreed that Thin Mints are the top choice, with one host noting they are not even aware of regional differences in the cookie’s texture. Caramel Delights (formerly Samoas), featuring caramel drizzle and coconut, were also highly praised and considered addictive. The traditional vanilla/sugar cookie was acknowledged as a safe, classic option.
Greg Olsen’s Super Bowl Experience
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(12:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Olsen found watching the Super Bowl 57 matchup between the Kelce brothers to be a genuinely cool experience, emphasizing the unique sibling dynamic of wanting the best for oneself while preferring a brother to win if you don’t.
  • Summary: Olsen recalled filming a pregame segment with the brothers before Super Bowl 57, which he considered a cool moment despite being made late for filming. He appreciated how openly the brothers shared their journey, noting the universal feeling among siblings where you want success for yourself, but would rather your sibling succeed than anyone else. Olsen stated he is not sick of the Kelce family, given their positive impact on his career and friendship.
Worst Game Called & Broadcast Strategy
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(14:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The toughest games to call are non-competitive blowouts, forcing broadcasters to transition into a ‘daytime radio show’ format after halftime to empty their content bucket.
  • Summary: Olsen cited a recent Vikings vs. Seahawks game where Minnesota had minimal offensive yards as one of the worst he has called. The strategy for such games is to focus on the matchup and game narrative until halftime, then shift to discussing broader league trends, awards, and other topics to fill the airtime. This situation is considered a broadcaster’s nightmare compared to calling a game between two struggling teams that remains competitive.
Tight End U’s Impact on the Position
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(17:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Tight End U has played a role in elevating the position by providing a platform where top veterans mentor young players, coinciding with the position becoming the face of the league.
  • Summary: Olsen wants to see dynamic young tight ends like Terrance Ferguson join Tight End U, acknowledging the event’s value in connecting established stars with rookies. He noted that the position has shifted from being the league’s blue-collar role to featuring stars like Travis Kelce and George Kittle who are now central to league branding. This on-field success, combined with off-field elevation, has created a high tide that benefits all tight ends.
Welcome to the NFL Moment
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(24:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Greg Olsen’s ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment was being physically overwhelmed and driven into the ground by Michael Strahan during a critical short-yardage play in his rookie year.
  • Summary: During a short-yardage play at Soldier Field in 2007, Olsen attempted to block Michael Strahan, who was playing the six technique. Strahan two-gapped, pressed Olsen, and drove him into the fullback and pulling guard, causing the play to collapse. Olsen immediately regretted the play call, realizing his physical limitations as a 245-pound rookie facing an elite defensive end.
Stamp of the Week Awards
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(29:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The Rams equipment manager received a Stamp of the Week for dedication to craft, while Kayshawn Boute earned one for an insane one-handed catch.
  • Summary: The Rams equipment manager was recognized for the meticulous preparation of equipment, especially balls, in adverse weather, despite Olsen’s personal aversion to wearing sideline jackets during games. Kayshawn Boute received a stamp for a spectacular one-handed catch for the Patriots that helped secure a two-score lead late in the game. The hosts also debated the meaning of players covering their faces after big plays, jokingly suggesting it signifies ‘stank’ on the play.