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 better part of a year, and their high-profile romance has dominated headlines since it became public last September.
While he helped his team win a second straight Super Bowl last season, many have suggested the 34-year-old Kelce is in decline as a football player after recording his fewest 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, managing just three receptions for 34 yards as the back-to-back Super Bowl champions opened with a 27-20 victory at Arrowhead.
Jason Whitlock believes Travis Kelce is becoming less effective for the Chiefs because of his romance with Taylor Swift
The Kansas City tight end has been dating pop megastar Swift for the better part of a year.
And when debating whether Kelce had a “bad 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 to be too much of a distraction.
The conservative commentator first pointed out on his latest podcast, “Fearless,” that Travis has never had any major injury issues throughout his career and is younger than former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, who still made the Pro Bowl at the age of 37.
He then explained his theory about Swift to journalist Steve Kim.
“I wonder if all the extracurricular activities, all the pressure and burden of being Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, might be diverting my energy and focus away from football,” Whitlock said.
‘Why couldn’t it be that Ste?’
Kim, however, believes time is simply catching up with Kelce as he approaches his 35th birthday next month.
Whitlock says the “social pressure” of being the boyfriend of the most famous singer on the planet is diverting attention from his football career
Kelce had three receptions for 34 yards as the Chiefs defeated the Ravens on Thursday.
“There was a time when he would get the ball and basically become a big, strong wide receiver with his ability to make people miss and get extra yards,” he replied.
“I don’t really see that anymore, and it’s natural to have an erosion of athleticism around age 35.”
Kelce is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, having won three Super Bowls and appeared in nine Pro Bowls. He is also a four-time first-team All-Pro and has set several records as a tight end.
Following the Chiefs’ win over the Ravens on Thursday night, he and Swift flew to New York City and were spotted at Brooklyn’s iconic pizzeria Lucali on Friday night.
The power couple then attended a wedding in the Big Apple the next day, before joining Travis’ teammate Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany at the US Open men’s final on Sunday.