It was just another crackling Wednesday on New Heights when Travis Kelce, usually the life of the party, paused mid-rant. “I’ll be playing football in the f—— heat,” he muttered, drawing laughter—but no disagreement—from co-host and brother Jason. The Brazil trip? Not a vacation for this tight end. Kelce wasn’t just worried about the flight. He was dreading the humidity. The same kind he remembered from Jacksonville in September—miserable, he called it. But this time, the spotlight isn’t just hot. It’s historic. And the NFL knows exactly what it’s doing.

The NFL has made its 2025 intentions loud and clear: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce aren’t just stars—they’re the storyline. After falling short in their 3-peat quest, the Chiefs are being positioned as the league’s most compelling redemption arc.

Exhibit A? The schedule. The defending AFC champions are the first team in NFL history to open a season with five primetime games in the first eight weeks:

• Week 1 – Los Angeles Chargers on September 5 (Friday, in Brazil)
• Week 3 – New York Giants on September 21 (Sunday)
• Week 5 – Jacksonville Jaguars on October 6 (Monday)
• Week 6 – Detroit Lions on October 12 (Sunday)
• Week 8 – Washington Commanders on October 27 (Monday)

And that’s not all. Kansas City will also play on Thanksgiving (vs. the Cowboys) and Christmas Day (vs. the Broncos), making them the only team with this many spotlight dates. This push goes beyond logistics—it’s a business strategy. After Super Bowl LIX’s disappointing loss to the Eagles, the league is banking on a revenge-fueled Mahomes-Kelce tour to dominate viewership.

Amid all this, fans are in a frenzy about their week 1 fixture in Brazil. Still, not everyone on the roster is thrilled about the international opener.

Travis Kelce worried about Brazilian heat

Travis Kelce, who returned for his 13th NFL season despite retirement rumors, isn’t mincing words. On the May 14 episode of New Heights, Kelce vented about the heat: “I’ll be there, not to do a podcast. I’ll be there playing football in the f—— heat.” It’s not an issue with Brazil, he just doesn’t want to be playing football when he’s there. “There’s just something about getting closer to the equator that I don’t want to put on a football uniform while doing that… If it’s humid, I’m going to be miserable.”

While São Paulo’s early September climate typically hovers around 17–23°C (63–73°F)—a far cry from the Jacksonville sweatbox—Kelce’s concern wasn’t entirely unfounded. Still, the Chiefs have reason to be confident. Under Andy Reid, they’ve gone 3-0 in international games, including wins in London, Mexico City, and Germany. It will be the second-ever NFL regular season game in Brazil, following last year’s Week 1 matchup, giving Kansas City another chance to shine on the global stage.

Beyond Brazil, fans are gearing up for a holiday-heavy Chiefs calendar. The Thanksgiving showdown against the Cowboys is already hyped as a ratings bonanza, and if last year’s Christmas broadcast—which featured Mariah Carey and Beyoncé—is any clue, this year’s holiday clash against the Broncos could be even more star-studded.

Mahomes, who enters his ninth season with 32,352 passing yards and three Super Bowl rings, is no stranger to global expectations. With Kelce back in the fold and a fully loaded primetime slate, the league isn’t just showcasing a team—it’s spotlighting a saga.

The road to redemption is paved in bright lights, loud stadiums, and, apparently, tropical humidity. The only question left is whether Mahomes and Kelce can stay cool when everything gets turned up.