Kaylah Walton
Travis Kelce‘s dedication to the Kansas City Chiefs is facing scrutiny, with some suggesting that his relationship with Taylor Swift could be hindering his on-field performance.
Sports analyst Mike Francesa recently expressed his worries, positing that Kelce’s burgeoning off-field celebrity might divert his attention away from football.
During a recent episode of the Mike Francesa Podcast, Francesa discussed Kelce’s noticeable decline in performance at the start of the 2024 NFL season.
In his 12th NFL season, Kelce has recorded only eight receptions for 69 yards without any touchdowns to date.
Francesa proposed that Kelce’s concentration might be split, particularly due to his public romance with Swift, which became widely known in October.
“As a coaching staff and an organization, you would need to question how committed Kelce is to his game at this moment,” Francesa remarked.
“His life is busy. Things have drastically changed… He’s involved in ads, publicity events, and seems very aware of how he is perceived.”
Francesa elaborated that Kelce’s increased public exposure might be affecting his training and commitment to the game.
“It’s not merely that the Chiefs are limiting Kelce’s opportunities; his performance has notably diminished,” he continued. “He’s now globetrotting with one of the most famous individuals worldwide. His life appears to be one big photo opportunity.”
Support from Mahomes
In light of the critiques, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes defended Kelce, highlighting that rival teams have been putting significant defensive efforts on Kelce, making it more challenging for him to get free.
“The level of respect for Travis is incredible. We design plays for him, but he’s always double or triple-teamed,” Mahomes remarked following their game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Kelce himself addressed his slow start on the New Heights podcast, acknowledging that while he used to feel frustrated by subpar performances, he is now adopting a more measured approach.
“Whatever the reasons, the last two games haven’t gone my way, but that’s part of football,” he stated.
While Francesa posits that Kelce’s new lifestyle may be influencing his game, Kelce and Mahomes are focused on regaining their form as the season unfolds.
