Over the last two years, many have cited Travis Kelce’s celebrity as one of the primary culprits behind his diminishing production.
And despite being previously defended by the likes of Jim Nantz, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end is now admitting that his off-field ambitions likely affected his on-field performance.
“I think it might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up. And opportunities came up where I was excited to venture into a new world of acting and being an entertainer,” Kelce told GQ. “I don’t say this as ‘I shouldn’t have done it.’ I’m just saying that my work ethic is such that I have so much pride in how I do things that I never want the product to tail off, and I feel like these past two years haven’t been to my standard… I just have such a motivation to show up this year for my guys.”
For what it’s worth, Kelce’s slip — which included his first two sub-1,000 yard seasons since 2015 — wasn’t totally unexpected as he entered his mid-30s. And while he may no longer be the prolific receiver he once was, he has been lauded for his blocking and played well enough to earn his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2024.
Conversely, Kelce’s comments admittedly sound a bit strange when they’re included in a lengthy GQ feature with an accompanying photoshoot. And it’s also worth noting that the profile was published just hours after Kelce’s girlfriend (who you may have heard is Taylor Swift) announced her highly anticipated upcoming album during a highly publicized appearance on her boyfriend’s New Heights podcast.
But despite still basking in the glory of his role in “Happy Gilmore 2” and laying claim to an IMDB page that includes at least two future commitments, the Cleveland Heights, Ohio, native insists that his only true goal for the upcoming year is winning another Super Bowl. If that’s going to happen, the Chiefs are going to need a bounce back season from their 7-time All-Pro tight end — something that might be easier said than done for a player who will turn 36 in October, regardless of his off-field workload.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.