DINH DOONG

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with girlfriend Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the last undefeated teams in the NFL with a perfect 3-0 record. It has not been easy, though, with all of their wins coming down to the final plays of each game. In Week One, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely came down in the end zone for what could have been a game-tying touchdown, but his toe was out of bounds.

Kansas City won in Week Two on a Harrison Butker last second field goal to give them the one-point victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Last week, the Chiefs were seemingly bailed out by a no-call on a play that could have moved the Atlanta Falcons even closer to the end zone.

Regardless of the situation, Kansas City has been able to come out ahead in each game. However, their All-Pro tight end, Travis Kelce, appears to be off to a slow start this season.

Fans Blame Taylor Swift for Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce’s Slow Start

Sep 8, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce cheer during the men’s singles final of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

 

Through the first three games of the season, Kelce has just eight receptions for 69 yards and no touchdowns. This is a far cry from the level of production that fans expect from the nine-time Pro Bowl tight end, and they are looking for someone to blame for his poor performance.

The easy target, in this case, is Kelce’s internationally famous popstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift. In addition to the multitude of fans that are blaming Swift for Kelce’s slow start, numerous NFL analysts have as well. ESPN’s Todd McShay recently said, “Every show I watch, every pregame show, halftime show, postgame show, weekday show, every broadcast I watch for the last few weeks, it’s like are we not allowed to say that he’s out of shape, that he’s been partying all offseason?

“He’s been jet-setting around with the most famous person probably in the entire world, that he’s drinking, going to the U.S. Open.”

It is worth noting that Kelce did not miss any of the Chiefs’ mandatory team activities during the offseason and showed up to training camp on time. He also passed his physical, meaning that he is, indeed, in good enough shape to play.

Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Addresses Fans Who Think Taylor Swift Is Distracting Travis Kelce

Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) on field after the win over the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

 

On Wednesday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media and addressed the claims that Kelce has been distracted from football by his frequent offseason trips with Taylor Swift.

“I know people are saying that he’s old or that he has distractions, but defenses don’t think that,” Reid said. “Trav is fine. He just keeps being Trav. He works his tail off. He hasn’t lost a step. He’s not distracted.”

As one can see, Reid credits opposing defenses for doing a good job covering Kelce as the reason for his slow statistical start.

Patrick Mahomes does not believe Kelce is distracted either, telling reporters, “We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis, and it’s like two or three people are going to him. He understands. That’s the great thing about him is he wants to make an impact on the game, but he wants to win at the end of the day. I’m gonna try to do my best to keep feeding him the ball whenever he’s there, whenever he’s open.”

As one can see, Mahomes credits defenses as well.

Fans will have to wait and see how well Kelce and the Chiefs perform in Week Four against the Los Angeles Chargers to see if what the actual football minds are correct.