Concerns About Commitment

In a recent episode of the "Mike Francesa Podcast," sports commentator Mike Francesa expressed his concerns about Travis Kelce's commitment to the Kansas City Chiefs amid an early-season slump. Francesa highlighted Kelce's shift in focus, suggesting that his off-field life with pop star girlfriend Taylor Swift may be impacting his performance on the field.

Francesa pointed out, “As an organization and as a coach, you would have to question how dedicated Kelce is to the sport right now. His life has taken a radical change. You see him in commercials, you see him in photo ops, you see him now very conscious of how he’s dressed and where the paparazzi are.” His comments come as Kelce’s performance has significantly declined in the opening weeks of the NFL season.

Performance in Season

Now in his 12th season, Kelce has completed just eight catches for 69 yards and has failed to score a touchdown heading into Week 4. “You see safeties strip the ball out of his hands in big spots, listless pattern running, and him being a non-factor game after game,” Francesa lamented. “You wonder how much of that is on his preparation and dedication.”

Shift in Focus

Since going public with his relationship with Swift last October, Kelce has seen his celebrity status soar, leading to numerous commercial appearances and upcoming television projects, including hosting the series "Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?" on Amazon. The shift from on-field dedication to off-field endeavors is raising eyebrows amongst fans and analysts alike.

Comparisons with Brother Jason Kelce

Francesa also made a comparison to Kelce's brother, Jason, who focused on his off-field opportunities only after announcing his retirement from the NFL in March 2023. “Jason waited until after his NFL career to dive into that world, while Travis is still in the game,” Francesa noted, raising the question of whether Kelce’s newfound fame is detracting from his performance.

Quarterback's Defense of Kelce

Despite the Chiefs' strong start with a 3-0 record, Kelce’s limited contribution is becoming a point of discussion. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes defended his friend, noting, “Teams respect Travis so much that they’ll put two or three defenders on him.” He further explained, “I’m going to try to feed him the ball whenever he’s open, but the more the other guys step up, the better it is for Travis.”

Kelce's Reflections

On his own podcast, "New Heights," Kelce reflected on his rough start, acknowledging his frustration at not performing up to his standards, but also maintaining that he wouldn't be upset about it indefinitely. “These past two games haven’t gone the way I'd like, but that’s football,” he admitted.

Contract and Future Prospects

In April, Kelce signed a lucrative contract extension with the Chiefs, solidifying his place as the NFL's highest-paid tight end, with a deal worth $34.25 million through 2025. As the Chiefs prepare to face the Chargers on September 29, fans are eagerly anticipating whether Kelce can return to form and regain his status as one of the league's premier tight ends.