New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Coaching Changes, Wildcard Recap & Jameis Winston on Giants Rookies, QB Celibacy & TD Catches | EP 175

January 14, 2026

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  • The Kelce brothers launched the 'Kelsey Clubhouse' as the official destination for New Heights merchandise and exclusive collaborations, including a book titled 'No Dumb Questions' compiled from fan mail. 
  • Super Wildcard Weekend was exceptionally exciting, featuring four games decided by four points or less and setting a playoff record with 12 fourth-quarter lead changes. 
  • The Philadelphia Eagles' season ended frustratingly after their loss to the 49ers, prompting discussion about the need for fresh offensive perspective despite the defense playing outstandingly well. 
  • Effective offensive coordinators and quarterbacks must possess the ability to sense what is happening in the game and call plays outside the game plan if necessary, prioritizing execution over adherence to pre-scouted tendencies. 
  • Quarterbacks like Caleb Williams demonstrate an 'it factor' where they are more accurate on difficult, chaotic throws because they are not overthinking the easy ones, relying on instinct and training. 
  • Jameis Winston attributes his highly volatile 2019 season to external pressures, including practicing celibacy while engaged, and emphasizes to young athletes that consistency off the field directly impacts on-field performance. 
  • Jameis Winston learned from Drew Brees the importance of sticking to his process and not letting past mistakes influence current decision-making, even when down multiple scores. 
  • Winston credits his cross-training in baseball for maintaining athletic movement patterns and extending his effectiveness as a quarterback in the modern NFL, advocating for young athletes to play multiple sports. 
  • Jameis Winston shared an 'iconic welcome to the NFL moment' involving his first pass being a pick-six touchdown, which he attributed to being unprepared for the complexity of NFL defenses like Dick LeBeau's two-man coverage. 

Segments

Jameis Winston Quote & Show Intro
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Jameis Winston’s memorable quote involves expressing gratitude for playing in Cleveland, Ohio, on a beautiful day.
  • Summary: The segment opens by asking listeners for their favorite Jameis Winston quote, highlighting one where he expressed happiness about playing in the snow in Cleveland. The hosts, Travis and Jason Kelsey, then formally introduce Episode 175 of ‘New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce,’ sponsored by Reese’s Oreo Cups.
New Merch & Kelsey Clubhouse Launch
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(00:02:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The official destination for New Heights merch, the ‘Kelsey Clubhouse,’ has launched, featuring exclusive collaborations like one with Pro Standard.
  • Summary: The hosts announced the launch of the Kelsey Clubhouse, a central hub for all New Heights merchandise and products the brothers like. They highlighted the high quality of the Pro Standard collaboration apparel, noting the texture and design details. The Clubhouse will also feature the pre-order for their first book, ‘No Dumb Questions.’
Jason’s Dunking Update
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(00:09:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason Kelsey is attempting to dunk a basketball on January 29th at a Sixers game, believing he can reach a 10-foot-8 to 10-foot-8.5 vertical jump.
  • Summary: Jason provided an update on his dunking attempts, showing video clips where he appears explosive but struggles with ball control at the apex of his jump, attributing it partly to a ‘dead knuckle.’ He plans to attempt the dunk publicly on January 29th at a Sixers game, embracing the potential for either celebration or public shame.
Wildcard Weekend Recap Begins
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(00:13:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Super Wildcard Weekend featured four games decided by four points or less, setting an all-time playoff record with 12 fourth-quarter lead changes.
  • Summary: The recap of Super Wildcard Weekend emphasized the high level of competition, marked by extremely close scores across multiple games. The Bears defeating the Packers at Soldier Field was noted, with Caleb Williams showing an ability to ‘flip the switch’ in the fourth quarter with incredible throws.
Eagles Playoff Exit Analysis
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(00:17:16)
  • Key Takeaway: The Eagles’ season ended frustratingly due to offensive regression, particularly in the run game, despite the defense playing outstandingly well all year.
  • Summary: The 49ers’ resilient performance, overcoming significant injuries, contrasted with the Eagles’ inability to capitalize on opportunities in their final game. The offensive coordinator, Kevin Petulo, was let go, with the regression attributed largely to the run game failing when the offensive line was banged up, unlike the previous successful season.
Other Wildcard Game Summaries
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(00:26:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Matthew Stafford’s veteran poise led the Rams past the Panthers, while Bryce Young showed significant improvement by scoring 31 points in a playoff loss.
  • Summary: The Rams defeated the Panthers 34-31, showcasing Matthew Stafford’s skill in manipulating defenses, though Bryce Young impressed by keeping Carolina competitive. The Bills edged out the Jaguars, benefiting from Josh Allen’s playoff experience, while the Texans’ dominant defense suggests they could be the AFC’s best if CJ Stroud remains composed.
Divisional Round Schedule Preview
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(00:36:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The most anticipated Divisional Round matchup for the hosts is the Bills at Broncos, focusing on how Bo Nix performs against Josh Allen’s veteran control.
  • Summary: The Divisional Round schedule includes Bills at Broncos, 49ers at Seahawks, Texans at Patriots, and Rams at Bears. Travis is particularly excited for the Bills/Broncos game, emphasizing that the Broncos must play four full quarters and contain Josh Allen’s ability to make plays outside the pocket.
Stamps of the Week & Guest Introduction
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(00:37:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Donna Kelce earned a Stamp of the Week for her performance as the first secret traitor on ‘Traitors,’ showing surprising deceitfulness.
  • Summary: Travis gave his Stamp of the Week to his mother, Donna Kelce, for her participation in ‘Traitors,’ noting her surprising deceitfulness and resilience at the roundtable despite an early elimination. The segment concluded by introducing the main guest, Jameis Winston, highlighting his Heisman win and status as a Pro Bowler.
Jameis Winston Interview Begins
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(00:45:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Jameis Winston credits his longevity and body maintenance to advice from an OG: ‘It’s better to stay in shape than get out of shape than try to get back in it.’
  • Summary: Jameis Winston expressed gratitude for the Kelces’ positive influence on culture and generations. He noted that Drake May impressed him most during Wildcard Weekend for consistently playing four quarters of football, even when things were not going right early. Winston stated he has played for four to seven different offensive coordinators throughout his career.
Offensive Play Calling Philosophy
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(00:50:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Successful offenses utilize real-time defensive reads to call plays not practiced during the week, and successful plays should be repeated if effective.
  • Summary: Coordinators like Sean Ken Dorsey and Byron Lepwich demonstrated the ability to sense defensive adjustments mid-game, allowing for successful calls outside the initial game plan. Quarterbacks value the feeling of ripping a practiced but unscripted play that exploits a defensive look. Coaches should repeat plays that have proven successful against a specific defense, rather than avoiding them because they were already shown once.
QB Mentality and Persuasion
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(00:51:43)
  • Key Takeaway: A quarterback must commit to executing the play called, even if they doubt it, but should provide feedback to the coordinator on the sideline afterward.
  • Summary: Jameis Winston describes himself as a persuasive essay writer who must make any called play sound good to the team, regardless of initial reservations. He commits to finding a way to execute the play once it is called in the huddle. If a play is poor, the quarterback should address it with the coach after the series, not during the play.
QB Decision Making Capacity
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(00:53:02)
  • Key Takeaway: A quarterback’s ability to win relies on the capacity, built through work, to know the right decision in the moment and help the coach be better.
  • Summary: The capacity to make the right decision stems from the amount of work put in, allowing a player to trust their judgment. This involves making necessary protection changes or route adjustments based on the defense, even if it deviates from the call. This level of capability and capacity ultimately helps the coach succeed.
Sean Payton and Bo Nix Analysis
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(00:53:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Sean Payton is utilizing situational mastery in Denver, focusing on fourth-quarter execution where Bo Nix has been making the necessary winning plays.
  • Summary: Jameis Winston notes that Sean Payton has been creative this year, emphasizing pocket movement and getting the ball out quickly for receivers to gain yards after the catch. While Bo Nix’s efficiency might have dipped compared to his rookie year, he and Payton consistently find ways to win in the fourth quarter. Winning in crucial moments, like on third-and-seven against man coverage, requires making the throw, not just managing the game.
Accuracy in Chaos vs. Stillness
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(00:55:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Quarterbacks often exhibit higher accuracy on difficult, high-pressure throws because the lack of an easy option forces intense focus, unlike when a receiver is wide open.
  • Summary: Caleb Williams’ accuracy on difficult throws suggests he thrives when chaos forces him to lock in, contrasting with the pressure felt when an easy throw is missed due to overthinking. Sam Bradford was cited as the most accurate quarterback in seven-on-seven drills, but game pressure changes accuracy due to the need for anticipatory throws from unorthodox angles. Caleb Williams possesses an ‘it factor’ where he seems to prefer chaos over stillness, making spectacular plays when there is no other choice.
Jameis Winston’s 30 for 30 Year
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(00:57:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Winston’s high-risk, high-reward 2019 season was influenced by Bruce Arians’ ’no risk it, no biscuit’ mentality combined with significant personal upheaval off the field.
  • Summary: Winston took Bruce Arians’ aggressive philosophy to heart, feeling he had too much talent (Evans, Godwin, etc.) to hold back, leading to high interception numbers. Off the field, he was dealing with asking his wife to marry him while simultaneously practicing celibacy, which caused personal strain and led him to move out temporarily. This spiritual and familial turbulence coincided with his on-field performance, showing how off-field consistency impacts play.
Defense Backing the QB
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(01:01:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite Jameis Winston’s interceptions, the Buccaneers defense grew inspired and began supporting him, suggesting the team was on the verge of success before Tom Brady arrived.
  • Summary: The defense eventually rallied around Winston, telling him they had his back and encouraging him to keep letting it fly. This shift in team dynamic showed growth, even as the offense struggled with turnovers. Winston believes the team was destined for success but that the organization opted for Tom Brady the following year.
Jameis on Giants Rookies
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(01:02:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Jameis Winston is modeling obsessive preparation by staying engaged in the facility during the offseason to maximize his chances of winning a Super Bowl.
  • Summary: Winston is prioritizing staying engaged in the player engagement room during the offseason because he has only made the playoffs once in his career. He values simulating Super Bowl preparation rather than immediately taking vacation trips after the season ends. He highly praises Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo for his dog-like work ethic and obsession with football, comparing his running style to Marshawn Lynch and Earl Campbell.
Qualities of a Winning Coach
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(01:28:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Winning head coaches must possess genuine interest in the players’ best interests, communicate effectively through consistent verbiage, and provide a paradigm shift for organizations accustomed to losing.
  • Summary: Jason Kelce notes that continuity in coaching staff and verbiage is crucial, as constant changes confuse communication and execution, something Jalen Hurts has experienced. A coach must be perceived as having the players’ best interests at heart, regardless of whether they are a ‘player’s coach’ or demanding. For a losing team like the Giants, the new coach must be a proven winner who brings a complete paradigm shift, utilizing established veteran leaders as counsel.
Playoff Predictions and Hard Counts
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(01:35:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Jameis Winston predicts the Seahawks will win the NFC, and believes the AFC winner will emerge from a matchup between the Broncos and Texans, though Josh Allen’s Bills remain a threat.
  • Summary: Winston favors the Seahawks in the NFC due to their visible energy on defense, though he also respects the Rams. In the AFC, he sees the Broncos and Texans as strong contenders, but notes that if Josh Allen and the Bills can overcome Denver, they become the favorites due to the absence of other top AFC contenders. Winston prefers aggressive hard counts, like the ‘Green Bay cadence,’ to earn free plays rather than relying on dummy counts.
Learning from Drew Brees
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(01:41:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The most valuable lesson Jameis Winston learned from Drew Brees was an intense focus on the process and details of execution over the immediate outcome of any single play.
  • Summary: Brees was extremely process-oriented, mastering the details of his offense’s footwork and concepts due to years of continuity with Sean Payton. Brees taught Winston not to let a mistake from earlier in the game affect the process of the current drive, exemplified by his disciplined approach in a comeback attempt against the Raiders. Winston also adopted Brees’ habit of visualizing two-minute drills alone on Saturdays, calling plays on air to perfect execution.
Drew Brees’ Process Mentality
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(01:42:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Drew Brees prioritized maintaining his established process over forcing immediate fixes after making an earlier mistake in a game.
  • Summary: Jameis Winston recounted asking Drew Brees about pushing the ball when down two scores, to which Brees responded he never lets an earlier mistake dictate the remainder of the game. Brees emphasized sticking to his established process for the current drive, regardless of prior errors like an interception. This disciplined approach was later demonstrated when Brees won a game against the LA Chargers by executing a ‘dink, dunk, dink, dunk’ strategy.
Brees’ Visualization Training
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(01:43:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Drew Brees practiced two-minute drills alone on Saturdays by visualizing and calling plays on air.
  • Summary: Winston observed Drew Brees conducting solo two-minute drills on Saturdays, where Brees would call plays up and down the field three or four times by himself. This visualization practice was something Winston incorporated into his own training regimen. Winston noted the incredible attention to detail Brees maintained, even in his final year while overcoming injuries.
Cross-Training Benefits for Athletes
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(01:44:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Cross-training in sports like baseball helps quarterbacks maintain athletic movement, torque, and rotation lost by focusing solely on football.
  • Summary: Winston revealed he resumed swinging a bat two years prior because he realized he lost rotational torque from focusing only on football mechanics. He argued that modern quarterback play requires extending plays, which is aided by the varied movements learned from baseball, such as fielding ground balls and swinging at different planes. Winston strongly advised young athletes against specializing too early, encouraging variety like basketball, lacrosse, baseball, and football to build a better overall athlete.
Lacrosse Swim Move Origin
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(01:46:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason Kelce’s successful swim move in lacrosse originated from applying football defensive line techniques against less experienced players.
  • Summary: Travis Kelce noted that playing different sports helps mentally with concepts like spacing seen on a basketball court. Jason Kelce mentioned taking spacing concepts from hockey angles and leverage. Jason then described how his football defensive line swim move, which involved grabbing the stick and overpowering opponents, was initially questioned by his lacrosse coach but proved highly effective because opponents hadn’t seen it before.
Jameis Winston’s NFL Welcome
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(01:47:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Jameis Winston’s first NFL pass was a touchdown, but his true ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment was being blindsided by Dick LeBeau’s two-man coverage on his first third down.
  • Summary: Winston stated his first NFL pass was a touchdown, though it was a pick-six, noting both he and Jason Kelce threw interceptions on their first NFL passes. His actual welcome moment came against Dick LeBeau’s defense when, on third-and-six, the defense ran two-man coverage, a scheme Winston hadn’t seen all year in college. He threw into the coverage, resulting in a pick-six, which initially made him feel unprepared, though he later recognized the embarrassment of being beaten by such a basic coverage.
Episode Wrap-up and Thanks
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(01:50:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Jameis Winston expressed deep respect for both Jason and Travis Kelce’s contributions to the game and their inspiring energy.
  • Summary: Jameis Winston thanked the brothers, specifically praising Jason Kelce for his impact on the game and Travis Kelce for inspiring a generation with his passion and dominance. The hosts thanked Winston, calling him ‘Famous Jameis,’ and reminded listeners to subscribe to the podcast and check out the New Heights merch at the Kelce Clubhouse.