ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Radio host Mike Francesa openly questioned Travis Kelce’s dedication to football, suggesting that his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift may be affecting his performance on the field.
While the Kansas City Chiefs secured a win against the Atlanta Falcons in the Sunday, September 22 match, the star tight end’s struggles were evident, as he managed only four catches for 30 yards, raising questions about his NFL future.
Mike Francesa says Travis Kelce’s life is a ‘photo op’
On the last episode of his podcast, Mike Francesa expressed concerns over Travis Kelce’s focus, saying, “As an organization and as a coach, you would have to question how dedicated Kelce is to the sport right now. He has a lot going on in his life. His life has taken a radical change.”
He noted the increased visibility of the Chiefs player in commercials and public appearances, describing it as a “photo op” lifestyle.
“It’s extremely human. His life has changed. He’s now prancing around the globe with one of the most famous people in the world. His life is a photo op,” remarked the radio host.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Francesa recalled a mentor who insisted that star players should prioritize football over fame: “I want my star players to be football players, not celebrities… that will come for the off-season, not for the season.”
Kelce’s performance this season has been underwhelming, with just eight receptions for 69 yards and no touchdowns over three games—one of the worst starts of his career.
During last season, he recorded 17 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games.
Francesa later stated, “Clearly at this stage of his career, you wonder where he is in his dedication, in his preparation, because his performance has fallen off dramatically. And it’s not just, ‘Oh the Chiefs are going away from Kelce.’ It’s more than that.”
Analysts raise alarms about Travis Kelce’s focus and performance amid celebrity lifestyle
NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth echoed Mike Francesa’s sentiments, stating, “I’m just flabbergasted. I mean, one game, big deal. Two games, alright. This is the third game now where we have not seen the magic of [Patrick] Mahomes and Kelce, and I can’t really explain that one,” as per Daily Mail.
Another NBC analyst, Rodney Harrison, attributed the tight end’s lackluster showing to his busy schedule, emphasizing the need for him to focus entirely on football.
He said, “He’s busy. He’s got a lot on his plate. You think about it. He’s doing a lot of different things. Media-wise, he’s playing football, he’s got other things going on. When you’re in that situation, you’ve got to forget about everything else and focus 100% on football. That’s the main responsibility.”