Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce has long been the heart and soul of the team’s offense, a key figure in their remarkable Super Bowl runs. However, his sluggish start to the 2024 NFL season is beginning to raise eyebrows. After another underwhelming performance during the Chiefs’ 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, where Kelce managed only four catches for 30 yards, questions are swirling about what’s really going on with the All-Pro tight end.
For many football fans, it’s hard to ignore the noticeable difference in Kelce’s play this season. NBC’s Cris Collinsworth didn’t hold back, highlighting the lack of “magic” between Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. But perhaps the most pointed criticism came from former ESPN analyst Todd McShay, who addressed what many have been tiptoeing around—Kelce’s lifestyle choices off the field.
@russillopod Todd McShay discusses Travis Kelce’s lack of production so far this season. #nfl #chiefs #kansascitychiefs #traviskelce #RussilloPod ♬ original sound – The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Speaking on *The Ryen Russillo Podcast*, McShay didn’t mince words. “Every show I watch, every pregame show, halftime show, postgame show, weekday show… they’re all dancing around the fact that Kelce doesn’t seem like the same player. He’s been partying all offseason, jet-setting with Taylor Swift, and showing up at high-profile events like the U.S. Open,” McShay remarked.
His critique went further, challenging why no one in the sports media is willing to call out the obvious. “Take a picture of him from preseason 2022 and then take one from preseason 2024—they’re barely the same human being,” McShay added. “The defense is double-covering him, sure, but the athlete isn’t the same. He’ll probably work himself into shape by midseason, but he’s not the guy we’re used to seeing.”
Indeed, Kelce’s numbers tell a sobering story. Through three games, the 12-year veteran has a total of just eight receptions for 69 yards and zero touchdowns—a far cry from his usual dominance. This follows a season in which Kelce, for the first time since 2015, failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards. And while the three-time Super Bowl champ has said that he’s no longer focused on stats, his on-field production—or lack thereof—can’t be ignored.
McShay didn’t shy away from addressing Kelce’s much-publicized off-field life, though he stopped short of laying the blame entirely on his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. “You can’t be doing all these things—commercials, social events, the Super Bowl victory lap—and expect to be the same guy on the field,” McShay said.
He’s not wrong. Kelce has become one of the most commercialized players in the league, and his social calendar is as packed as his game schedule. From endorsement deals to public appearances, Kelce has been everywhere except focused solely on football. “It’s impossible to carry that schedule and still put in the same amount of time for football,” McShay emphasized.
Despite Kelce’s slow start, Mahomes has defended his longtime teammate, recognizing the immense respect opponents still have for him. “It’s crazy because teams still— the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal. We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis, and it’s like two or three people are going to him,” Mahomes said after Sunday’s win, adding, “That’s the great thing about him; he wants to make an impact on the game, but he wants to win at the end of the day.”
But even Mahomes’ loyalty can’t completely dispel concerns. As McShay noted, Kelce’s lack of explosiveness and visible frustration on the sidelines suggest a player who may be struggling to juggle the demands of his off-field fame with the rigorous expectations of an elite NFL career.
At 34, Kelce is no stranger to the physical toll of the game, but it’s hard to ignore the distractions that have clearly taken their toll. If Kelce doesn’t regain his form soon, the Chiefs could face a steeper climb in their pursuit of another championship. And while fans may enjoy the headlines from his off-field life, the on-field results will ultimately tell the tale of Travis Kelce’s 2024 season.
