When Travis Kelce revealed his true feelings about Tyreek Hill for leaving Chiefs

Tyreek Hill was once part of a dangerous trio with TE Travis Kelce and QB Patrick Mahomes at the Kansas City Chiefs camp. Together they won Super Bowl LIV, bringing an end to the 50-year drought for the Chiefs. However, "Cheetah" left the side ahead of the 2022 season after spending six years at Kansas City.

A lucrative deal of $120 million was the catalyst behind Hill’s trade as he became the then-highest-paid WR in NFL history. Despite his departure, Hill continued his camaraderie with Travis Kelce and the TE did the same. On a September episode of the "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, Travis revealed his feelings about Hill leaving the Chiefs.

“Yeah man, shout out to Tyreek, man. He’s using his platform really well right now. It’s the cheetah baby. It’s the cheetah. He’s the real deal. Listen, best receiver in the league. I’ve been saying it for the past four or five years, man.”

Travis Kelce believes Tyreek Hill didn't get enough respect at Kansas City

Kelce also praised Hill further in that episode as he felt the star power within the Chiefs offense was too much to let the Cheetah shine at his full potential. With Patrick Mahomes, Hill delivered 4638 yards for 46 TDs.

“He never got the full respect for being how good of a WR he was, and I think it was because of how our offense was one of the best in the league. Pat being one of the best in the league. Me being high up on the TE board and it was like just us being a tandem was why we were so good."

Travis Kelce wanted Tyreek Hill to shine at Miami Dolphins

However, Kelce remained optimistic that Hill would shine at the Dolphins camp.

“I think we are about to see this year exactly how good Tyreek is and how good this offense can be without a huge playmaker like that. Not saying that we didn’t go out there and grab guys like him, but there’s no other cheetah. I’m not going to sit here and blow smoke and act like there is.”

Hill had a mixed performance since joining the Dolphins. While his 2022 season had 1710 yards for only 7 TDs, in the 2023 season he recorded 1799 yards for 13 TDs.

In January, Hill also revealed that he hadn’t been in touch with Kelce and Mahomes for a while. While he claimed that Kelce didn’t text him back since the TE was too busy dating Taylor Swift, Hill hadn’t texted Mahomes since the Dolphins lost to the Chiefs last regular season.

Those comments came two days before their January 13 Wild Card clash in the playoffs, which the Chiefs won 26-7 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City.