It's no secret that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is off to a slow statistical start to the 2024 season. 

Kelce has just eight catches for 69 yards through the first three weeks of the year. His quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as well as head coach Andy Reid, have both been insistent that Kelce is making an impact beyond the stat sheet by drawing the attention of linebackers and defensive backs. 

That sentiment could be proved by the hot start of second-year wideout Rashee Rice, who ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards with 288. Not everyone is buying what Mahomes and Reid are saying, however, including ex-ESPN analyst Todd McShay. While appearing as a guest on "The Ryen Russillo Podcast" on Monday, Mcshay criticized Kelce for his lack of focus and being out of shape. 

“Every show I watch, every pregame show, halftime show, postgame show, weekday show, every broadcast I watch 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, he’s drinking, going to the U.S. Open…”

McShay's reference of jet-setting around with the most famous person in the world is obviously referencing Kelce's girlfriend and music icon Taylor Swift. McShay continued to dig at Kelce's conditioning, but also said that he's confident that Kelce will work himself back into shape throughout the course of the season.

“… What I do know is, I want you to take a picture from preseason 2022 and then take a picture preseason 2024," McShay suggested to Russillo. "They’re barely the same human being, Ryen, and everyone’s like, ‘We got to get him the ball, why isn’t he part of the offense?’ The defense is double-covering.’ Here’s the thing, bottom line with Kelce: The coverage and the respect he gets is the same, the athlete is not. Now, is he going to work himself into shape during the season? Yeah, I’m sure he will. He’s an unbelievable competitor, he’s one of the best to ever do it and he still finds a way to make a play or two here and there and shows up in some clutch moments, but he’s not the same guy right now.”

In this writer's opinion, McShay seems to contradict himself here. He admits that defenses are paying extra attention to Kelce and double-teaming him, but why would they bother doing that if Kelce isn't the same caliber of athlete? If Kelce isn't a threat as McShay is suggesting, I would think defenses would be keying in more on Rice and rookie receiver Xavier Worthy.

McShay would conclude his rant by clarifying that he isn't blaming Swift for anything, but rather blames the hectic schedule that Kelce has had since meeting her.

“… I’m not blaming it on Taylor Swift, I’m not blaming anything," McShay said. "All I’m saying is when you win two Super Bowls, you got that whole tour that happens after the Super Bowl, he’s the most commercialized guy, there’s no one else doing more commercials I don’t think in the league, he and Mahomes are up there. I think Kelce’s doing more commercials and things, he’s been at more events, doing more things socially. It’s impossible to carry that schedule and still put in the same amount of time for football.”

Again, McShay's seems to mince his words. He doesn't want to directly blame Swift, but goes on to basically say that Kelce wouldn't be as busy had he never started dating her. Putting blame on Kelce doing commercials and attending events is very much a reach. Kelce has been spotted at numerous events throughout his career, well before he met Swift, and all great athletes do a lot of commercials. 

It isn't unfair to say that Kelce isn't the same player he was even just a couple of years ago, but not for the reasons McShay gave. You can start with the fact that Kelce is almost 35-years-old and is playing in his 11th year. He's endured grueling deep playoff runs in each of his last six seasons and has the wear and tear that comes with that.

Unlike multiple stars across the league, Kelce participated in all offseason OTA's and minicamp and never took a day off during training camp, so to suggest that his commitment isn't where it should be is off base. 

With all that he's accomplished and the opportunities awaiting him outside of football, no one would blame Kelce for being retired right now. However, as Kelce has stated multiple times during the offseason, he still very much enjoys not only playing, but even the day-to-day grind of life in the NFL. 

Donna Kelce sends loud message to all the haters after Travis Kelce’s slow start to the 2024 season

Say it louder for the people in the back.