New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Julian Edelman & Cooper Kupp on Super Bowl 60, NFL Beauty Pageants, and Burger Flipping OCs | EP 178

February 4, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The Eagles' hiring of Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion signals a drastic shift toward run-play-action-motion offenses rooted in the Mike Shanahan/Gary Kubiak lineage. 
  • Julian Edelman advised first-time Super Bowl participants to maintain their routine, treat the game as a marathon, and focus on making the fewest mistakes. 
  • Cooper Kupp praised Sam Darnold's perseverance through past struggles and highlighted the importance of receivers understanding quarterback progression reads by attending QB meetings. 
  • Cooper Kupp highly praises a teammate (referred to as 'Jax') for his special ability to consistently get open and his smooth, level running style, comparing his movement to Devontae Smith. 
  • The conversation included an in-depth discussion about brewing the perfect French press coffee, with Kupp providing specific advice on grind size and grounds measurement relative to the plunger's resting point. 
  • Young Eagles fan Sam Salvo, who went viral for criticizing the team's former Offensive Coordinator, shared his informed opinion that the new OC, Sean Mannion, might work better with Jalen Hurts due to his success with Jordan Love, and he advocates for running more outside zone plays. 

Segments

Eagles OC Hire Analysis
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(00:01:16)
  • Key Takeaway: Sean Mannion’s hiring signals Eagles’ shift to Shanahan/Kubiak-rooted zone-run offenses.
  • Summary: Sean Mannion’s background in the McVay/LaFleur coaching trees indicates the Philadelphia Eagles offense will drastically change next year. This new system emphasizes outside zone, play-action, and motion, aligning with modern successful NFL offenses. The change is expected to address fan complaints about stagnant offensive concepts and route limitations.
Travis Golf Trip Preview
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(00:09:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Travis Kelce is preparing for the iconic, party-centric Waste Management Open Pro-Am.
  • Summary: Travis Kelce is set to participate in the Waste Management Open Pro-Am in Phoenix, Arizona. This PGA tournament is famous for its electric atmosphere, particularly around the stadium-like Par 3 16th hole. The event is known for being so wild that alcohol sales have previously been suspended.
Philly Special 30 for 30
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(00:12:03)
  • Key Takeaway: ESPN is airing a 30 for 30 documentary focusing on the Philly Special play.
  • Summary: A 30 for 30 documentary focusing on the ‘Philly Special’ play will air on Friday, February 6th. Jason Kelsey, Nick Foles, Corey Clement, Trey Burton, and Doug Pederson were interviewed to reminisce about the moment. The segment emphasizes the high-stakes situation of the play: fourth and one with 30 seconds left in the first half of the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl Weather Memories
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(00:12:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Super Bowl LII in Minnesota was uniquely defined by blizzard conditions forcing downtown centralization.
  • Summary: The Super Bowl in Minnesota featured extreme cold and blizzard conditions, making travel difficult. This weather forced attendees to stay downtown, creating a unique, centralized bubble experience for the event. The skywalk system in Minnesota proved essential for navigating the severe weather.
Chiefs Equivalent to Philly Special
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(00:14:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The Chiefs’ ‘Wasp’ play against Tyreek Hill is considered their equivalent to the ‘Philly Special’.
  • Summary: When asked for a comparable Chiefs moment, Travis identified the ’three-jet wasp’ play in the Super Bowl. This play was crucial when the Chiefs were down multiple scores, requiring a huge play to stay in contention. The play involved Coach Bieniemy, Travis, and Patrick Mahomes calling the right scheme.
Super Bowl Party Essentials Plug
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(00:14:57)
  • Key Takeaway: KelseyClubhouse.com offers Super Bowl party essentials including themed tableware and grilling accessories.
  • Summary: The hosts promoted KelseyClubhouse.com for Super Bowl party needs, listing items like themed tablecloths, meat thermometers, and X’s and O’s plates. They emphasized that Super Bowl time is treated like a national holiday. Travis recalled a childhood memory of attending a Super Bowl party themed around the Rams/Titans game.
Julian Edelman Patriots Confidence
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(00:16:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Julian Edelman is confident in the Patriots due to their organizational experience overcoming underdog narratives.
  • Summary: Edelman expressed high confidence in the Patriots for the Super Bowl, noting that the organization is accustomed to narratives about facing a juggernaut after an easy schedule. He highlighted the value of experience within the coaching staff, including Josh McDaniels, who has coached in ten Super Bowls. Edelman advised young players to maintain their routine and focus on avoiding negative plays, as the winning team usually makes the fewest mistakes.
Vrabel Coaching Stories
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(00:23:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Mike Vrabel’s reputation for intensity included warning Julian Edelman about Super Bowl halftime length.
  • Summary: Edelman shared that Vrabel, whom he knew from Ohio State and the Patriots, busted his chops about his long Hall of Fame speech. Vrabel specifically reminded Edelman that Super Bowl halftime is 12 minutes, unlike the regular season, showcasing his attention to detail. Vrabel is highly respected by former coaches for his intelligence and intensity.
Patriots Success Factors
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(00:25:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The Patriots’ quick turnaround is attributed to strong personnel decisions and key player acquisitions.
  • Summary: The Patriots’ rapid success is credited to Robert Kraft making the right hires and hitting on draft picks and free agents like Milt Williams and Christian Barmore. The addition of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was also cited as a huge factor. The league’s parity means teams are often only a few key players away from contention.
Cooper Kupp Super Bowl Return
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(00:37:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Cooper Kupp values the current Seahawks’ genuine team camaraderie and slow, steady build toward success.
  • Summary: Kupp stated that reaching the Super Bowl is never taken for granted, contrasting this team’s belief with past teams that fell short despite high expectations. He noted the Seahawks’ early belief was based on a slow build rather than immediate certainty of having all the pieces. He observed that the team’s energy and love for playing together, even among backups in the preseason, indicated special chemistry.
Sam Darnold’s Resurgence
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(00:40:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Sam Darnold’s ability to succeed after early career struggles is considered an exceptional feat for a quarterback.
  • Summary: Kupp praised Sam Darnold for persevering through the narrative set against him after difficult stints with the Jets and Panthers. Darnold successfully integrated into the Shanahan system in San Francisco and KOC’s system in Minnesota before excelling in Seattle. His ability to reaffirm himself multiple times makes him a player hard not to root for.
QB Meeting Value for WRs
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(00:43:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Receivers attend QB meetings to understand progression reads and route timing from the quarterback’s perspective.
  • Summary: Cooper Kupp attends QB meetings to hear the quarterback’s diagnosis of film and identify potential concerns. This allows receivers to know where they fall in the progression order for specific routes. Understanding the QB’s timing dictates how a receiver runs their route to be ready when the ball is expected.
Stafford vs. Darnold Comparison
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(00:49:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Matthew Stafford relies on vast memory recall, while Sam Darnold relies on meticulous, robotic preparation.
  • Summary: Stafford’s experience allows him to instantly recall and counter defensive looks, functioning like an AI database. In contrast, Darnold is described as extremely processed and prepared, staying late to ensure he is ready for every moment on Sunday. Kupp noted that Darnold’s intense preparation means he is almost ‘over-prepared’ for the game.
Kupp on Teammate’s Smoothness
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(00:54:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Cooper Kupp describes a teammate’s exceptional route running as being ‘so smooth’ and playing at ‘one level the entire time.’
  • Summary: Kupp praised a teammate’s ability to run complex routes, like a 15-yard outbreaking speed cut, without changing pace. This player is noted for consistently getting open when opportunities arise, despite the offense not being high volume passers. The teammate is physically stockier, built ‘a little more like a danger, like a running back.’
AJ Barner’s Energy and Higby Comparison
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(01:06:04)
  • Key Takeaway: AJ Barner’s energy and swagger as a young player are highly praised, drawing a comparison to former teammate Tyler Higby.
  • Summary: Barner is recognized for his significant contributions in both the run and pass games for the offense. His energy is described as unique, often leading him to be the one ‘barking in the team meetings.’ Kupp initially compared Barner to a young Tyler Higby due to his route running and blocking capabilities.
French Press Coffee Ratio Advice
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(01:07:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The correct French press technique involves measuring grounds up to the point where the plunger stops before fully depressing to avoid over-extraction.
  • Summary: Kupp advised that for a French press, one should measure the coarse grounds up to the level where the plunger will rest when fully depressed. This prevents grounds from coming up through the filter due to over-extraction. A nice coarse grind is essential for this brewing method, and the process requires measuring, not just guessing.
Welcome to the Super Bowl Moment
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(01:05:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Cooper Kupp’s ‘welcome to the Super Bowl’ moment was witnessing Bill Belichick’s masterful in-game strategic pivot to a 6-1 defense during his first Super Bowl appearance.
  • Summary: Kupp’s defining Super Bowl moment was observing Belichick’s decision to switch to a 6-1 alignment for the entire game, a plan they had never shown before. This decision was executed while Belichick waited for the headset communication to turn off to counter the opposing offensive coordinator’s calls. Kupp viewed this coaching maneuver as one of the most masterful displays he had witnessed.
Keys to Victory for Seattle
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(01:07:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Seattle’s key to winning the Super Bowl is to ‘be us’ by sticking to their established process of running through opponents and playing physical defense, rather than changing their approach.
  • Summary: Kupp stated that while avoiding turnovers is crucial, the team must execute their established identity. This identity involves running through people’s faces, running the ball effectively, and having the defense run and hit hard. They plan to bring exactly what got them to the Super Bowl and not change their fundamental approach.
Stamp of the Week Nominees Review
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(01:11:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The Stamp of the Week segment featured nominees including a boxer whose toupee was knocked off, a lacrosse goalie’s hit, and an Iowa lineman with a prominent mullet.
  • Summary: One nominee was a boxer who won a fight after an uppercut knocked his hairpiece off, which the hosts found hilarious. Another clip featured a lacrosse goalie delivering a clean, hard chest hit, sparking a brawl, which the hosts applauded. Iowa lineman Jennings Dunker was nominated for bringing a notable mullet and overall aesthetic to the Senior Bowl.
Young Eagles Fan Sam Salvo Interview
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(01:19:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Viral Eagles fan Sam Salvo provided detailed analysis, suggesting the new OC Sean Mannion could succeed with Jalen Hurts if he replicates his success developing Jordan Love.
  • Summary: Sam Salvo, the young fan, expressed a desire for the Eagles to run more outside plays to the strong side of the offensive line, referencing Saquon Barkley’s success in similar schemes. He maintained his stance that former OC Kevin Petulo should be ‘flipping burgers’ but showed measured optimism for Mannion. Salvo also stated his favorite current Eagles player is Jalen Carter, calling him a ‘bad man in the middle of that defense.’
Closing Thoughts and Super Bowl Prediction
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(01:30:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Travis predicted Seattle would win Super Bowl 60 due to their energy and playmaking ability, while Jason rooted for Sam Darnold’s story.
  • Summary: Travis noted that the Patriots’ coaching staff controls the pace, but he ultimately favored Seattle due to their energy and big-play ability, despite the defense likely making Drake May’s job harder. Jason expressed support for Sam Darnold, admiring his perseverance and current high level of play. Both hosts acknowledged the week leading up to the Super Bowl has become a massive NFL convention with numerous associated events.