Travis Kelce has finally opened up about his disappointing beginning to the NFL season, especially after his frustrated expression on the Chiefs’ bench went viral on Sunday night.
This has certainly been a rough stretch for Kelce, as he’s experiencing the lowest production in any three-game span of his career since starting the 2024 season.
Mixed Reactions and Speculations
Critics and fans alike have pointed fingers at Kelce, questioning whether his busy off-season and high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift might be affecting his performance on the field.
However, Kelce brushed off these theories during a recent episode of his podcast, New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce.
“It’s football, baby!” he declared, emphasizing that he’s focused on the game.
Commitment to Improvement
Kelce reflected on his experience, stating, “I’ve had a lot of catches in this league, man.
I’m not worried about the catches and the yards.
The most fun comes when I get the ball thrown my way, and who doesn’t enjoy that?”
He pointed out that execution is key, and while he acknowledged a crucial drop in the fourth quarter, he remains committed to making big plays when it counts.
“With how defenses are playing us, I’m not getting many chances to shine, but I won’t use that as an excuse,” he said.
Despite the Chiefs winning all three of their games against the Ravens, Bengals, and Falcons, Kelce’s stats tell a different story.
Typically, he averages over 10 yards per game, but this season, he’s down to 8.6 yards with only eight receptions so far.
The exact reasons behind this dip in performance remain unclear, but Kelce is determined to keep pushing forward and believes that better days are ahead.
Focus on Team Success
“Whatever it is, it’s football, baby,” Kelce reiterated.
He emphasized that he’s not focused on individual targets but rather on contributing to a successful offense.
He praised quarterback Patrick Mahomes for his ability to find open players and make smart decisions.
“It’s a new offense with new pieces, and we’re just figuring out how to succeed as the season progresses,” he explained.
Kelce acknowledged that ups and downs are part of any season.
He stressed the importance of communication and cleaning up mistakes to ensure everyone is on the same page.
“Nobody does it better than coach Andy Reid and Pat Mahomes in that regard,” he added.
Sideline Struggles and Media Commentary
On Sunday night, Kelce was seen on the sidelines looking particularly dejected, which was notable since it marked the first game of the season that his girlfriend, Swift, missed.
NBC’s lead analyst, Cris Collinsworth, expressed his astonishment at Kelce’s struggles, noting, “I’m just flabbergasted… This is the third game now where we have not seen the magic of Mahomes and Kelce.”
Rodney Harrison, another analyst, suggested that Kelce’s off-field commitments might be affecting his play.
“He’s busy with a lot on his plate. When you’re in that situation, you have to focus 100% on football.
He just doesn’t have the same speed,” he commented, questioning whether Kelce is still playing at an elite level.
Support from Unexpected Places
Interestingly, it seems that Kelce’s strongest supporters right now are Taylor Swift’s fans, who have rallied to defend him against the criticism.
One fan took to social media to counter Harrison’s remarks, stating, “This is such a bs talking point. If you actually paid attention to Trav, he’s 150% locked in on football.”
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Kelce adjusts and what changes might come for him and the team. The journey ahead promises to be a telling one.