A former ESPN draft analyst has said the quiet part out loud when it comes to Travis Kelce.
While speaking on the Ryen Russillo Podcast this week, former ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay didn’t hold back in offering his opinion as to why the Kansas City Chiefs tight end is off to a slow start in the 2024 season.
Kelce, who turns 35 in October, has just eight catches for 69 yards through three games.
McShay blamed the 9-time Pro Bowler’s sluggish start in part on his offseason lifestyle, which includes traveling around the world with his popstar girlfriend Taylor Swift, and physical conditioning.
“Every broadcast I’ve watched for the last few weeks, it’s like, are we not allowed to say that he’s out of shape?” McShay said. “That he’s been partying all offseason? He’s been jet-setting around with the most famous person probably in the entire world, that he’s drinking, going to the U.S. Open, he’s got cocktails in.”
Russillo then pushed back, pointing out that having some drinks in the offseason isn’t that big of a deal, but McShay, who was part of ESPN’s talent layoffs in June 2023, just kept on going.
“What I do know is, I want you to take a picture from preseason 2022 and then take a picture preseason 2024. They’re barely the same human being, Ryan,” said McShay.
“And everyone’s like, ‘We gotta get him the ball. Why isn’t he part of the offense? The defense is double covering him. Here’s the thing, bottom line with Kelce, the coverage and the respect he gets is the same—the athlete is not… He’s not in the same shape. He’s not the same. I don’t see the same explosiveness. I see him wearing down a bit in-game.”
McShay also pointed out Kelce’s increasing interests outside of football that take time away from preparation, such as his $100 million podcast deal, slew of commercials and move into film.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed Kelce’s slow start this week, blaming the lack of production on other team’s scheming to take him away.
“It’s crazy because the respect factor teams have for Travis is unreal, and it’s well-deserved,” Mahomes said. “We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis and it’s like two or three (defenders) are going to him.
But the tape doesn’t lie, and Kelce, who has made a career running past defenders and finding soft spots in the zone defenses, does look less explosive than in past years.
But he’s also in his 12th season and has played a ton of football in his career, so he could just be experiencing the athleticism decline that comes for every great player eventually.
Either way, his lack of production hasn’t stopped the Chiefs (3-0) from winning.
