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Kelce struggled to make an impact as the Chiefs saw off the Cincinnati Bengals in dramatic fashion on Sunday, with Harrison Butker’s last-gasp field goal securing a 26-25 win at Arrowhead.
Despite his team’s late victory, the legendary Kansas City tight end had a mere one catch for five yards and failed to record a touchdown for the second straight game. After two appearances this season he has just four receptions for 39 yards.
And following his underwhelming performance against the Bengals on Sunday, Smith took a savage dig at Kelce over his relationship with Swift, who was again watching on from the stands at Arrowhead.
‘I love my brother from another mother, Travis Kelce. [But] we saw more Taylor Swift than we saw Travis Kelce yesterday on a Sunday afternoon, and any other time that’s applicable. That ain’t supposed to happen yesterday,’ the ESPN co-host said on First Take.
‘We supposed to see more Travis Kelce yesterday than we saw her. That’s not happening. You got to get it going, bro. You got 39 receiving yards in the first two games.
‘Come on now, it’s time. Football season is here. Honeymoon’s over. Let’s handle our business.’
Kelce, who has been dating Swift for the past year, helped the Chiefs win a second straight Super Bowl last season amid his romance with the pop megastar.
However, many have questioned whether the 34-year-old is now embarking on a slow decline on the field, including conservative commentator Jason Whitlock.
"We saw more Taylor Swift than we saw of Travis Kelce yesterday."@stephenasmith says the Chiefs were lucky to win despite Travis Kelce having one catch 👀 pic.twitter.com/P7ecr6nuFm
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 16, 2024
After his disappointing output in Kansas City’s Week 1 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Whitlock even suggested that Kelce’s romance with Swift is harming his NFL career.
He said on his ‘Fearless’ podcast earlier this month: ‘I’m wondering if all of the extracurricular activities, all of the pressure and the burden of being Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, if that could be drawing energy and focus away from football.’
Journalist Steve Kim, however, argued that father time is simply catching up to Kelce as he approaches his 35th birthday next month.
‘There used to be a time when he got the ball [and] he basically turned into a big, strong wide receiver with his ability to make people miss, get extra yards,’ he responded.
‘I really don’t see that anymore, and it’s only natural to have an erosion of athleticism right around your mid-30s.’