The End Of An Era: 5 Must-See Moments From Travis Kelce’s Longer Hair Phase Before The Big Chop

The world of sports and pop culture was recently buzzing with a major style change. As of late July 2025, Kansas City Chiefs star and cultural icon Travis Kelce officially said goodbye to the longer hair he had been sporting, returning to his signature, crisp buzz cut just in time for the NFL training camp. This move ended a brief but highly-discussed era of flowing locks, a look that had captured attention since his relationship with Taylor Swift put him under a new, brighter spotlight.

The transition back to his classic, short style caused an immediate frenzy among fans, with many expressing relief and excitement to see the return of the "Kelce Cut." This article takes a deep dive into the moments that defined the tight end's longer hair phase—from his early days to his most recent style experiments—and explores why his hair evolution is as talked about as his performance on the field.

Travis Kelce: A Quick Biography and Hair Evolution Timeline

Before diving into the specifics of his longer hair moments, understanding the man behind the look provides essential context. Travis Kelce is more than just an NFL star; he is a media personality, fashion enthusiast, and now, a global celebrity.

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• Full Name: Travis Michael Kelce
• Date of Birth: October 5, 1989
• Place of Birth: Westlake, Ohio
• Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
• Position: Tight End
• Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs (Drafted in 2013)
• College: University of Cincinnati
• Career Highlights: Multiple Super Bowl Champion, Multiple Pro Bowl Selections, Multiple First-team All-Pro.
• Notable Media Appearances: New Heights Podcast (with brother Jason Kelce), Saturday Night Live.
• Signature Hairstyle: The "Kelce Cut" (a high-and-tight fade/buzz cut).

Kelce’s hair history is a journey of precision and style. When he first entered the league, his hair was short and buzzed. While his iconic look is the sharp fade, he has experimented over the years, often letting his hair grow out slightly in the off-season, which is exactly what led to the recent "longer hair era" that sparked so much discussion.

The Longer Hair Era: 5 Defining Moments Before the Buzz Cut of 2025

The discourse around "Travis Kelce with longer hair" peaked in late 2023 and early 2024, a time coinciding with his increased public visibility. This phase was characterized by a slightly shaggier, more textured look on top, a notable departure from the military-precision fade he is famous for. Here are the five moments that defined this brief but memorable style chapter.

1. The Post-Taylor Swift Growth Spurt (Late 2023)

Once his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift became public in the fall of 2023, every aspect of Kelce’s appearance was scrutinized, including his hair. It was during this period that he visibly began to let his hair grow out, moving away from the extreme shortness of his typical fade. This slightly longer, styled look gave him a softer, more off-duty aesthetic, which was quickly dubbed his "relationship hair" by some fans and media.

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2. The May 2025 Off-Season Look

One of the most recent and clear examples of the longer style was seen in May 2025, just a few months before the big chop. Photos from this time showed Kelce with a noticeable length on the top, allowing for more texture and movement than his usual look. This style demonstrated a willingness to embrace a different, more relaxed silhouette, often styled slightly forward or with a subtle wave. The longer hair provided a different canvas for his famous beard and facial hair styles, which he also frequently changes.

3. The Throwback 'Year 1' Look (2013 Rookie Photo)

While the recent growth was a modern experiment, Kelce actually sported a slightly longer cut earlier in his career. Throwback photos shared by the Kansas City Chiefs from his "Year 1" as a rookie in 2013 show a fresh-faced Kelce with hair that was longer than his current fade, though still relatively short by modern standards. This archival look proves that the tight end has always been open to style variation, even if his signature look eventually took over.

4. The Fan-Dividing Debate on Social Media

The longer hair phase was significant because it sparked a genuine debate among fans. When the Chiefs and the NFL posted updates, the comments sections were flooded with opinions. Some loved the shaggier, more rock-and-roll vibe of the longer locks, while others were adamant that he needed to bring back the crispness of the fade. The division in the fanbase highlighted how much Kelce's style, including his hair, has become a key part of his public persona.

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5. The Dramatic July 2025 Buzz Cut Debut

The defining moment of the longer hair era was, ironically, its end. In late July 2025, as the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off training camp in Missouri, Kelce debuted a dramatic hair transformation: a bold, clean buzz cut. This move signaled a return to "game mode" and the highly-disciplined look of his famous fade. The switch was so drastic that it immediately went viral, confirming that the longer hair phase was officially over and that the tight end was focused on the upcoming football season.

The Man Behind the Cut: The Iconic 'Kelce Fade'

The reason the "longer hair" look was so noteworthy is because of the sheer popularity of his standard style: the "Kelce Cut." This look is a meticulously maintained, high-and-tight fade, a style so popular it has been requested in barbershops across the country.

The man responsible for this precision is often Patrick Regan, known professionally as @patty_cuts, who has worked with Kelce for years. Regan has shared details about the cut, noting that the attention to Kelce’s hair has skyrocketed since the tight end began dating Taylor Swift. Kelce himself has modestly stated that he "didn't invent" the fade haircut, despite the viral online discourse surrounding it.

The Kelce Cut is a testament to sharp, clean style. The contrast between the short sides and back and the slightly longer (but still short) top is what gives it its iconic, polished look. The recent decision to buzz his longer hair back to this familiar style confirms that for Kelce, the fade remains the ultimate professional statement.

What the Hair Evolution Reveals About Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce's willingness to experiment with his hair, even briefly, showcases his evolving fashion sense and comfort in the spotlight. The longer hair phase was a relaxed, off-season look, allowing him to explore a different side of his personality. It was a subtle, yet significant, style shift that demonstrated the player's influence extends far beyond the goal line.

However, the rapid return to the buzz cut for the 2025 NFL season sends a clear message: when it’s time for business, Kelce reverts to the sharp, focused, and disciplined look that has defined his Hall of Fame-caliber career. Whether he’s sporting long locks or a fresh fade, Travis Kelce’s hairstyle remains one of the most talked-about topics in both the sports and entertainment worlds.