Travis Kelce is becoming less and less effective for the Kansas City Chiefs due to the ‘social pressure’ of being Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, according to Jason Whitlock.
The Chiefs tight end has been dating pop megastar Swift for the best part of a year, with their high-profile romance dominating headlines ever since it became public knowledge last September.
While he did help his team win a second straight Super Bowl last season, many have suggested Kelce, 34, is on the decline as a football player after registering his lowest amount of receiving yards (984) since the 2015 campaign (875).
He also failed to impress in Kansas City’s opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, pulling down just three catches for 34 yards as the back-to-back Super Bowl champions got off the mark with a 27-20 victory at Arrowhead.
And when debating whether Kelce either had an ‘off night’ against the Ravens or is now embarking on a ‘gradual decline’, Whitlock suggested the pressure that comes with being the boyfriend of the most famous singer on the planet is proving too much of a distraction.
The conservative commentator first pointed out on his latest ‘Fearless’ podcast that Travis has never struggled with major injuries throughout his career and is younger than former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez – who still made it to the Pro Bowl at the age of 37.
He then explained his theory involving Swift to journalist Steve Kim.
‘I’m wondering if all of the extracurricular activities, all of the pressure and the burden of being Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, if that could be drawing energy and focus away from football,’ Whitlock argued.
Kim, however, believes father time is simply catching up to Kelce as he approaches his 35th birthday next month.
Is Travis Kelce in gradual decline or did he just have an off night? I think that all of the social pressure that comes with being Taylor Swift’s boyfriend might take the focus away from football.
Is Travis Kelce in gradual decline or did he just have an off night? I think that all of the social pressure that comes with being Taylor Swift’s boyfriend might take the focus away from football. pic.twitter.com/FobS5io8cr
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) September 6, 2024
‘There used to be a time when he got the ball [and] he basically turned into a big, strong wide receiver with his ability to make people miss, get extra yards,’ he responded.
‘I really don’t see that anymore, and it’s only natural to have an erosion of athleticism right around your mid-30s.’
Kelce is widely considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history after winning three Super Bowls and making nine Pro Bowls. He is also a four-time First-team All-Pro and has smashed a number of tight-end records.
After the Chiefs’ victory over the Ravens on Thursday night, he and Swift jetted off to New York City and were spotted at iconic Brooklyn pizza joint Lucali on Friday night.
The power-couple then attended a wedding in the Big Apple the following day, before linking up with Travis’ teammate Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany at the men’s US Open final on Sunday.
