Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is no stranger to the spotlight—especially after winning his third Super Bowl title. But following a dip in production during the 2024 postseason, a new wave of criticism has emerged, this time questioning whether his personal life is affecting his performance.
During the AFC Championship and Super Bowl LIX, Kelce recorded just six catches for 58 yards combined—an underwhelming stat line for a player widely considered the best tight end of his generation.
While some analysts have chalked up the decline to age or wear and tear from 12 NFL seasons, Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter is pointing his finger elsewhere: Taylor Swift.
In a recent appearance, Carter didn’t hold back, claiming Kelce’s high-profile relationship with global pop icon Taylor Swift might be damaging his football legacy.
“Dating her is going to take something away from your career,” Carter said bluntly. “He won’t be All-Pro Travis Kelce ever again. He can’t run the same, he can’t block like he used to. He’s just not the same guy on the field anymore.”
Carter’s critique wasn’t just about Kelce’s relationship—it extended to his physical performance as well. The former Vikings legend argued that Kelce has lost his burst and explosiveness, key attributes that once made him unguardable over the middle of the field.
Despite the harsh comments, Carter doesn’t believe retirement is imminent. Instead, he suggested Kelce could stretch his playing days for reasons unrelated to football.
“He’ll probably play another year or two,” Carter said. “Maybe just to keep up with that girl he’s dating.”
Kelce, however, isn’t entertaining the noise. On New Heights, the podcast he co-hosts with brother Jason Kelce, the Chiefs star shot down the idea that dating Swift has been a distraction. If anything, he says it’s been a boost to his mindset and motivation.
“I’m enjoying life, flying high, and locked in on being the best version of myself,” Kelce said. “The energy I get from Taylor—her support, her positivity—it makes me want to elevate every part of my game.”
He’s also pointed to how her presence on the sidelines during games brought joy and support—not pressure.
“When someone shows up for you like that, how can it not push you to work harder?” Kelce added.
Whether or not you agree with Carter’s take, one thing is clear: Kelce’s performance is under a microscope like never before. With his celebrity rising and expectations sky-high, every misstep on the field is now amplified by the headlines off of it.
Still, the 36-year-old remains a crucial part of the Chiefs’ offense, and Patrick Mahomes continues to call him his most trusted weapon.
The question heading into the 2025 season isn’t just whether Kelce can still produce—it’s whether he can do so while managing the immense public interest that comes with dating one of the most famous women in the world.
For now, Kelce isn’t backing down from the challenge. But as the criticism mounts, it’s clear that the balance between fame and football will be a defining theme of the twilight of his career.
