Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ star tight end, has experienced a noticeable shift in both his professional and personal life since his relationship with pop sensation Taylor Swift began.
Beyond the team’s performance, Kelce‘s individual statistics this season have raised eyebrows. With an average of 11.2 yards per game until Week 14, it marks the lowest record since he entered the NFL.
The Chiefs, along with Kelce, seemed to mask this decline in numbers as long as Swift was in attendance, contributing to victories. However, the recent loss to the Bills has exposed underlying challenges for the Chiefs, indicating a potential crisis for the team.
Retirement to come soon?
Additionally, Kelce‘s personal life may also be undergoing changes. His older brother, Jason Kelce, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, is contemplating retirement, and it could be his last season. Both brothers have been vocal about the physical toll of playing football and the challenges it poses to their bodies.
With Jason at 36 years old and Travis at 34, it raises questions about how much longer they will continue to navigate the demanding world of professional football.
“I was watching him [Travis] down on that Hail Mary (against Green Bay), and I was thinking he might be almost done,” an NFL GM told the Athletic.
“I say that understanding he has been productive at times this year. But you know what the first sign of decline for a player like Travis Kelce is? That he is not the same player late in the season. It means his body is not recovering.”