Chiefs Rookie Peter Woods Draws Early Warning From Travis and Jason Kelce

Jason and Travis Kelce evaluated rookie DT Peter Woods' minicamp footage during the latest episode of the New Heights podcast.

Chiefs Rookie Peter Woods Draws Early Warning From Travis and Jason Kelce

Peter Woods and Travis Kelce inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Travis Kelce advised rookie Peter Woods to improve his technique for success in the NFL.
  • Woods was drafted 29th overall by the Chiefs after they acquired the pick in a trade.
  • Woods looks forward to learning from veteran Chris Jones, who has been a key player for the Chiefs' defense.

Travis Kelce gave valuable advice to the Kansas City Chiefs’ new defensive tackle, Peter Woods, during Wednesday’s episode of the New Heights podcast. The star tight end is eagerly waiting to see Woods line up beside All-Pro tackle Chris Jones in 2026, but pointed out that Woods must rectify some of his weaknesses if he aims to be successful in the NFL.

The Chiefs drafted Woods 29th overall in the first round. Initially, the Chiefs didn’t own the pick. They acquired the selection as compensation in the Trent McDuffie trade earlier this year.

After taking LSU corner Mansoor Delane 9th overall, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach went all in for Woods, 20 picks later. The University of Clemson alum made a great impression on the Chiefs’ front office during the rookie minicamp.

Travis and Jason Kelce watched a clip of Woods going through a drill during the camp. Even though both were impressed by Woods’ agility and strength, the retired Philadelphia Eagles center noted what needed to be cleaned up by the rookie.

You gotta watch that left arm, though, that left arm gets a little hot. Right here, the left arm gets [up], that’s the head and neck area, Peter. We’ve got to stay away from the head and neck area. We’ve got to swat that ball. We’ve got to work that technique better.

Jason Kelce said

For Woods’ sake, hope he’s taking notes because it’s not every day a Hall of Fame-bound athlete gives out a valuable piece of advice for free.

Feet look good to be that big too, man, I like it, nice and quick.

Travis Kelce said about Woods
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Peter Woods is looking forward to sharing the field with Chris Jones

Jones has been stalwart in the Chiefs’ defense for close to a decade. Three All-Pro, 7 Pro Bowls, and three rings later, Jones is well on his way to seeing his bust enshrined in Canton in the future.

Last year, Jones logged 29 combined tackles, 12 TFLs, 7 sacks, and defended two passes. Since entering the league, he has accumulated a total of 339 tackles, 87.5 sacks, 99 TFLs, defended 39 passes, 13 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions.

Woods says it’s going to be fun learning from a great talent like Jones.

I think it’s going to be fun. It is gonna be crazy, definitely going to learn a lot, but definitely, you know, I’m gonna bring something to the table that’s gonna allow him to free up… And I can imagine this is gonna happen in the same way for me.

Woods said (H/T AtoZ Sports)

Jones signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract extension that will end in 2029. However, already 31, there’s no guarantee he will survive in the league for that long. So, drafting Woods now was the right move by Veach and the Chiefs’ front office.

Woods selected the number 99 as his jersey number. He would have stuck with his college number 11, but NFL rules prevent him from wearing it. So, he decided to go with 99.

It was what I picked from the choices that I had. But I’ve always loved the number 99… D-Lineman in the NFL kind of got a different type of select number of choices. So, I knew 11 wasn’t going to be an option. So, 99 was the best next thing for me.

Woods said via Charles Goldman

Woods played three seasons with the Clemson Tigers. He registered 84 combined tackles, 14.5 TFLs, and 5.0 sacks.

Travis Kelce already knew that he was coming back even before the previous season ended

After the Chiefs suffered a defeat in the 2024-25 Super Bowl against the Eagles, many viewed it as the end of Kelce’s career. However, he returned because he did not want to go out in a losing fashion.

Chiefs Rookie Peter Woods Draws Early Warning From Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

In 2025, the Chiefs regressed. They won just six games and saw quarterback Patrick Mahomes pick up an Achilles injury. Once again, question marks were hanging over Kelce’s future. And once more, he decided to prolong his career.

Earlier this month, Veach went on the Pat McAfee Show and revealed that they were already aware that Kelce was going to come back for his 16th year.

We played our last game of the season in Vegas, and when we got back, Trav [Travis Kelce] came in, and he basically said, ‘I’m going to take a few weeks off here, but I’m not going out like this.’

Veach told McAfee

Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and scored 5 touchdowns last year. Kelce has penned a three-year extension to stay in KC.

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