The new NFL season is upon us, which means it’s time for another round of sports media’s most infuriating gimmick, “Travis Kelsey is struggling, and it’s all Taylor Swift’s fault.”
Yes, after three games, Travis has yet to put on the impressive performance that Kansas City Chiefs fans have come to expect from their favorite tight end.
Of course, there are a number of factors at play, not least of which is the fact that Kelce will turn 35 next month.
(For reference, he’s nearly a decade older than the other two players on the Chiefs’ roster.)
In the past, Travis’ performance has gotten better as the season has progressed, and that’s likely to be the case this year as well.
But don’t tell that to the hot take machines who make their living spouting nonsense on lesser-known sports podcasts!
Then, the news that coach Andy Reid was benching players didn’t help matters either…
Kansas City Chiefs coach announces star player has already been benched
During the Super Bowl champs’ third game of the 2024-25 season, less attention was paid to the fact that the players won three games in a row than to Travis Kelsey sitting on the bench.
The cameras captured Travis looking sad and disappointed. Some believed it was because of his girlfriend missing the game; others worried it was because of his poor performance during the game. The latter feared Travis might have to sit on the bench if his game didn’t come under control.
And then Andy Reid announced he was sitting one of his star players out for the foreseeable future.
But, it’s not Travis!
The left tackle position remains a big question for the Chiefs, as neither newcomer Kingsley Sumataia nor second-year forward Wanya Morris have emerged in any significant way.
That’s why after winning three games in a row, Reid told reporters that Morris would start against the Chargers in Week 4. So Suamatia has officially been benched, and it’s unclear when he’ll get his left tackle job back.
So Travis is safe – for now…
Former ESPN analyst Todd McShay recently criticized Travis on a program called “The Ryen Russillo Show.”
“Every show that I watch over the last couple of weeks, every pregame show, halftime show, postgame show, weekday show, every broadcast, are we not allowed to say he’s not in form?” McShay asked, according to Page Six.
The pundit added, “He’s been partying all offseason? He’s been jet-setting with possibly the most famous person in the entire world.”
“I want you to take a picture of the 2022 preseason and then take a picture of the 2024 preseason, they’re hardly the same people.”
Many reasons for Travis’ tough season
McShay dismissed the claim that Kelce’s low production is a result of the fact that he becomes a frequent target of double coverage by opposing defenses.
“The main thing with Kelce is the coverage and respect he gets is equal, the athletes are not equal,” he said.
“Now, will he work to keep himself fit during this season? Yes, I’m sure he will.
“He’s an unbelievable competitor, he’s one of the best players to ever do it and he still finds a way to make a play or two here and there and come up in some important moments, but he’s just not the same player he was.”
What does the future hold for Travis and Taylor?
So will Travis Kelce retire at the end of the current NFL season? There’s every chance it will happen, especially if he achieves his goal of leading the Chiefs to an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl.
Whatever the case, even if Travis has taken a step back, and his current troubles prove to be permanent, blaming this decline on Taylor is absurd.
But sadly, this isn’t uncommon. Some deranged fans have even called for Taylor to be banned from NFL games.
Fortunately, McShay doesn’t take it that far. In fact, he believes there are multiple factors responsible for Travis’ disappointing season.
“I don’t see the same explosiveness anymore. I think he gets a little tired in games. That’s OK. He’s going to work on getting himself back in shape. This isn’t the first guy who’s not in as great shape as he was before,” McShay said.
He elaborated, “I think Kelce is doing more commercials and stuff now. He’s doing more events, doing more social stuff.”
“It’s impossible to continue that schedule and still devote the same amount of time to football.”
Of course, Travis maintained a very busy schedule last season, and the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
So it’s possible that McShay’s character doesn’t know what he’s talking about.