Kelce has struggled so far this season
Travis Kelce’s commitment to the Kansas City Chiefs is being questioned, with some speculating that his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift might be affecting his performance on the field.
Sports commentator Mike Francesa recently voiced his concerns, suggestin
On his latest episode of the Mike Francesa Podcast, Francesa discussed Kelce’s noticeable drop in performance at the start of the 2024 season.
Kelce, now in his 12th NFL season, has only managed eight catches for 69 yards and no touchdowns so far.
Francesa suggested Kelce’s focus might be divided, particularly due to his relationship with Swift, which became public in October.
“As an organization and as a coach, you would have to question how dedicated Kelce is to the sport right now,” Francesa said.
“He has a lot going on in his life. His life has changed dramatically… He’s doing commercials, photo ops, and seems very conscious of his image.”
Francesa further explained that Kelce’s life has shifted into the public eye, possibly affecting his preparation and commitment to football.
“It’s not just that the Chiefs are going away from Kelce; his performance has fallen off dramatically,” he added. “He’s now prancing around the globe with one of the most famous people in the world. His life is a photo op.”
Mahomes backs Kelce
Despite the criticism, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes defended his tight end, noting that opposing teams have heavily focused their coverage on Kelce, making it harder for him to get open.
“The respect factor for Travis is unreal. We’re calling plays for him, but two or three defenders are always on him,” Mahomes said after their recent game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews have had a slow start to the season.
Does anyone regret drafting them in fantasy yet? 😅 pic.twitter.com/ln0JNBckj4
— Playmaker TD 🏈 (@playmakerTD) September 23, 2024
Kelce himself acknowledged the slow start on his New Heights podcast, admitting that he used to get frustrated with mediocre performances but is now taking it in stride.
“For whatever reason, these past two games haven’t gone my way, but that’s football,” he said.
While Francesa believes Kelce’s new lifestyle may be impacting his game, Kelce and Mahomes are focused on getting back on track as the season progresses.
