When Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is not making headlines for catching passes from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he is attracting the attention of the pop culture universe for his high-profile romance with music superstar Taylor Swift.
Still, members of Chiefs Kingdom are most concerned about the 34-year-old’s ability to produce on the gridiron. While far from his career-highs, Kelce finished last season with 93 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns. While his stats remain more than respectable, he acknowledged that 2023 was a trying season on his 6-5, 250-pound frame.
“Last year was pretty taxing on my body,” Kelce said. “I’ve had more snaps than a lot of guys if not everybody in the NFL over the past five, six years, and I’m very prideful of that, but I know it has taken a toll on my body.
“So it’s just making sure that my body’s getting that rest and that ability to train harder and be able to withstand an entire 17-to-20-game season.”
Of course, Kelce’s comments did not escape the rapier wit of some social media “influencers.”
“Taylor is keeping him from getting sleep,” one fan joked.
Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champ, is a nine-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All Pro with four first-team nods. Already considered one of the greatest tight ends in league history, his rapturous personality, as well as his high-profile relationship with Swift has made him a global superstar since the duo began dating last summer.
The 11-year veteran has helped to form one of the NFL’s most potent on-field tandem with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With the Chiefs once again considered among the favorites to earn another title this season, Kelce appears to be in prime position to add not only his fourth league championship to his resume, but also the Chiefs third consecutive title — a feat which has yet to be accomplished by any NFL team in the Super Bowl era.
Kelce, Mahomes and the Chiefs’ quest for another Lombardi trophy as the team’s training camp is now underway on the practice fields of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
