Giants’ Tight Ends Benefit From Travis Kelce’s Tight End University Ahead of Chiefs Encounter

New York– The Giants’ tight ends benefited from Travis Kelce’s Tight End University, a well-known offseason gathering hosted by Kelce and fellow All-Pro George Kittle. The Giants’ group—Daniel Bellinger, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, and rookie Thomas Fidone—attended the program, which is designed to share the mindset and techniques of the position across the league. The event has become a practical classroom for tight ends aiming to elevate their approach to routes, reading defenses and overall game preparation. "We sit in the classroom, and I wouldn’t say he’s got a future as a teacher, but [Kelce] does a good job of giving us his mindset and viewpoints on how he does stuff," Bellinger said to The Post with a laugh. "George does, too. Travis has this quickness and way of being able to separate more than a lot of guys; pardon the pun, but a Swiftiness to him."

That classroom also had a high-profile attendee in Taylor Swift, who was at Kelce’s side during the weekend gathering as her fiancé’s team prepared for the season ahead. Fidone’s girlfriend stood nearby during the session when Swift performed her hit "Shake It Off." Fidone said the moment underscored how big the moment can feel for players and how opportunities can unfold later. Fidone added that he could tell Swift was eager to engage, even if an introduction did not materialize at that moment.

Kelce has frequently praised the Giants’ tight ends, including declaring Bellinger an "awesome athlete" in 2023 and pulling Fidone aside to tell him that he has some "juice" to his game. "Hearing that was huge confidence-wise early in my career," Bellinger said. Fidone, a seventh-round pick with Big Ten roots and a close friendship with Kittle, is awaiting his NFL debut. He reflected on the TEU experience as more than a showcase of talent; he described tight end as a savvy position where technique and mind games can triumph at times. "Tight end is a savvy position. Not everything has to be out-efforting everybody. Sometimes, you can win with technique or win with your mind. That’s kind of Travis’ game. Stuff like that is a brotherhood, and you’re hearing little tips on how to do it from the best to do it, whether it’s on how to study or read defenses." Fidone said.

The moment also has implications for the Giants’ depth chart at another position group entering Sunday’s game: linebacker. Swayze Bozeman, who joined the Giants after spending last season with the Chiefs and earning an AFC championship ring before moving to New York, could make his first career start against his former team and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Giants’ depth at linebacker is limited, and Bozeman has gone from practice-squad elevation to a starter’s role in a short span. "It’s almost like a full-circle moment," Bozeman said. "I’m watching film of all these guys I practiced against last year. A sense of familiarity comes with watching Trav run a route the unorthodox way that he does. I’ve seen that in practice a thousand times. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to stop, but you’re able to recognize it. Everything you see Pat do in a game, he’s done it 10 times in practice. Probably crazier stuff, too. You are amazed by it but not surprised."

Injury updates from New York’s side add more context to what the Giants will face Sunday. Linebacker Darius Muasau is out with a concussion. Demetirus Flannigan-Fowles (calf) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr. (foot) are listed as doubtful. Edge Chauncey Golston (ankle), wide receiver/returner Gunner Olszewski and tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) are listed as questionable. Xavier Gipson, who was cut by the Jets after a critical fumbled kickoff return in Week 1, could make his Giants debut Sunday as the primary returner in place of Olszewski.

Beyond the specific game-day notes, the TEU experience highlighted a broader approach that Kelce and Kittle have championed for years: learning from the best in the business, applying the concepts on the field and building a tight-end network that extends across teams. Bellinger framed the takeaway succinctly: tight end success often hinges on technique and understanding, not just raw athleticism. Fidone echoed that sentiment, saying the gathering reinforced the value of studying defenses and the craft of route-running as complementary to physical preparation. "Tight end is a savvy position. You can win with technique or with your mind when needed. It’s a brotherhood, and you’re hearing little tips on how to do it from the best to do it, whether it’s on how to study or read defenses," Fidone said.

The Giants face a challenging test in Kansas City, a matchup that will place a spotlight on how their tight ends have evolved since the TEU exposure. While the program itself unfolds away from the field, the lessons are expected to carry over into the game plan and in-game execution as New York seeks to leverage the position’s versatility in matchup-driven playcalling. The wider NFL tight-end ecosystem has long valued the Kind of cross-pollination TEU represents, and the Giants’ attendance this offseason aligns with a broader trend toward leveraging insights from the league’s best playmakers to close gaps in development and depth. The coming game will serve as a practical measure of those lessons in real time.

[Image 1]

[Image 2]

[Image 3]