Travis Kelce hasn’t quite looked like the dominant force NFL fans are used to seeing three games into the current season, and veteran NFL analyst Todd McShay believes that Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift may be playing a role in his slower-than-expected start.
The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a strong 3-0 start, continuing their status as one of the league’s top teams. But despite their winning record, a few concerns have surfaced, including the season-ending injury to running back Isiah Pacheco and Kelce’s unusually quiet performances.
So far this season, the 34-year-old tight end has put up only modest numbers by his standards, with four receptions for 30 yards in the Chiefs’ recent win over the Atlanta Falcons. For any other player, those might be solid stats, but for Kelce—who has made the Pro Bowl nine times—they’re alarmingly low. With just eight catches for 69 yards and no touchdowns through three games, it’s clear that Kelce hasn’t hit his stride yet.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledged Kelce’s slow start, explaining that defenses are throwing double and triple coverage at the star tight end, which is making it harder to get him the ball. However, not everyone is convinced that coverage alone explains Kelce’s underperformance.
NFL draft expert Todd McShay offered a different theory during a recent appearance on The Ryen Russillo Podcast, suggesting that Kelce’s off-season activities—particularly his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift—may have distracted him from fully preparing for the season.
“Are we not allowed to say that he’s out of shape? That he’s been partying all offseason? That he’s been jet-setting around with the most famous person probably in the entire world?” McShay questioned during the podcast. He emphasized that while Kelce’s reputation as a top-tier athlete remains intact, his physical conditioning may not be where it needs to be. “The coverage and the respect he gets is the same. The athlete is not.”
McShay clarified that he wasn’t blaming Swift for Kelce’s struggles, but he did imply that Kelce’s busy off-season—filled with social engagements, commercial shoots, and time spent with Swift—may have hindered his usual level of preparation. “Now, is he going to work himself into shape during the season? Yeah, I’m sure he will. He’s an unbelievable competitor. He’s one of the best to ever do it. But he’s not the same guy right now,” McShay added.
The comments point to a bigger issue of balancing personal life with professional responsibilities, something Kelce may have to navigate more carefully as the season progresses. McShay also acknowledged that Kelce still has plenty of time to regain his form, but his critique suggests that if the tight end doesn’t turn things around soon, more analysts may start to question whether his off-field activities are impacting his performance.
For now, Kelce has a chance to prove his critics wrong. The season is still young, and given his track record, few doubt his ability to bounce back.
However, if his underwhelming numbers continue, it’s likely that more analysts will share McShay’s view, questioning whether Kelce’s personal and professional lives are in balance.
