Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid believes Travis Kelce had his worst statistical season of his career, outside of his rookie year where he barely saw the field due to injuries of his teammates.

Kelce is one of the best tight ends in football yet regressed in every major category in 2024 amid speculation that his romance with Taylor Swift is moving his attention elsewhere.

Kelce did have a team-high 97 catches last season, and the mot receiving yards with 823. Yet, he had more disappointing performances than transformative ones.

The 35-year-old only had three touchdowns on the season, as the Patrick Mahomes-led offense had to find other ways to get into the end zone.

‘He’s willing. He’s learning when to come out, so he’ll get himself out of the game when he needs it. And I think that’ll just continue with age,’ Reid said at the NFL owners’ meetings on Monday.

‘I didn’t think that was an issue this year, but I thought we were banged up at the outside positions and that doesn’t help a tight end’s cause at all.’

Kelce is one of the best tight ends in football yet regressed in every major category in 2024

Reid believes Kelce had his worst statistical season of his career due to teammates’ injuries

‘I just think the healthier we can be around him – he can still be productive.’

The Chiefs were rarely 100 percent healthy at the same time. Hollywood Brown had a shoulder injury that caused him to make his Kansas City debut in Week 16. Rashee Rice went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Running back Isiah Pacheco did not have the same elite form after coming back from a Week 2 injury. Having the most creative quarterback in the league did not help Kelce last season, with the duo nearly unstoppable prior to 2024.

Was Taylor Swift a Factor?

When news broke that Kelce was dating global pop icon Taylor Swift, the sports world and entertainment industry collided like never before. While some believed the relationship gave Kelce a fresh perspective and new motivation, others speculated that the constant media attention became a massive distraction.

“Look, relationships are a personal thing,” Reid said with a chuckle. “Taylor’s a wonderful person, and she’s been nothing but supportive of Travis. But there’s no denying that the added spotlight brought a whole new level of pressure.”

The coach admitted that Kelce struggled with the overwhelming media frenzy. “Suddenly, every move he made was analyzed by sports analysts and music journalists alike. He couldn’t escape it, and I think that got to him at times.”

The Turning Point

Despite the challenges, Kelce never officially declared his intentions to retire. Instead, he leaned on his support system – family, friends, teammates, and yes, even Swift.

“She was a rock for him during tough moments,” an anonymous teammate revealed. “We’d joke around in the locker room, saying he had the best cheerleader in the world. But in reality, she helped him stay grounded when things got crazy.”

According to Reid, the love for the game never truly left Kelce. After a period of reflection, he decided he wasn’t ready to hang up his cleats just yet. “Travis isn’t done. Not by a long shot,” Reid confirmed. “He’s got a lot left in the tank, and I think we’re going to see him come back stronger than ever.”

What’s Next for Kelce?

With the offseason in full swing, all eyes are on Kelce to see if he returns with the fire and dominance that made him a household name. Whether or not Taylor Swift remains a fixture in his life, one thing is clear – the NFL isn’t ready to say goodbye to Travis Kelce, and neither is he.

As Reid put it, “He loves this game too much to walk away now. And trust me, he’s got some unfinished business to take care of.”

One thing’s for certain: when the next season kicks off, all eyes will be on Kelce – on and off the field.