Former ESPN commentator Todd McShay is blaming Travis Kelce's newfound fame and “jet-hopping” lifestyle for his slow start this season.
During the period Appeared on “The Ryen Russillo Podcast” On Monday, McShay didn't mince words when talking about Kelce's lackluster performance in the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Atlanta Falcons, in which he finished with just four receptions for 30 yards.
“All the shows I watch Pre-match show“When I look at the halftime show, the postgame show, the weekday shows, every broadcast that I've been watching the last few weeks, I wonder if he's allowed to say he's not feeling well,” McShay asked matter-of-factly.
“So he was partying the whole offseason? Jetting around with probably the most famous person in the world,” the analyst added, referring to Kelsey's romance with Taylor Swift.
As an example, McShay pointed to the pair's long weekend together in New York City, where they were spotted “drinking” and having fun at the U.S. Open after the Chiefs' game against the Baltimore Ravens.
“Take a picture of the 2022 preseason and a picture of the 2024 preseason. They're hardly the same people,” the former ESPN commentator said.
McShay also denied the claim that Kelce's poor performance was due to defenses double-teaming him, arguing that this has been the case throughout his career.
“The thing about Kelsey is he gets the same coverage and respect, but athletes don't.”
Despite concerns about Kelce's condition, McShay said he believes the three-time Super Bowl champion will eventually return to form.
“Now, is he going to be in shape during the season? Yeah, I'm sure he will,” he said. “He's an incredible competitor, one of the all-time greats, and he still finds a way to make a play or two here and there and show up in big moments, but right now he's not the player he was.”
The 34-year-old Kelce has eight receptions for 69 yards and no touchdowns since the season began earlier this month.
By comparison, through the third game last year, Kelce had 17 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Similarly, in 2022, the tight end has 17 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns.
“You don't see the same explosiveness. You see him get a little tired in games, but he's OK. He'll get back on track. This isn't the first time we've had a guy not have the elite form he once had,” McShay said.
Despite the criticism, sportswriters made it clear they were not blaming Swift for Kelce's performance.
“I think Kelsey has started doing more commercials, she's been going to more events and she's been more socially active,” he explained.
“It's impossible to keep up with that schedule and still devote the same amount of time to football,” he concluded.
During the offseason, Kelsey visited seven countries supporting the pop star on his international tour, signed a six-figure podcast deal, appeared on Ryan Murphy's new series “Grotesquerie,” and hosted “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?”
