An NFL analyst has pinpointed Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift as a potential reason for his struggles last season.

While Kelce is a fan favorite among Kansas City Chiefs fans – and Swifties across the globe – stats from last year would suggest that the tight end is on the decline.

His 823 yards recorded is the lowest in his career, for a full season, and in the recent Super Bowl he managed four receptions for 39 yards as the Chiefs were humiliated.

Despite dropping retirement hints, Kelce confirmed that he would return for the 2025 season and, ahead of that, analysts have tried to pinpoint reasons for his decline.

Among those was Eric Mangini, who said: ‘His numbers were not terrible. If you look at his numbers compared to the tight end group, he still had an impressive season, it was just not Travis Kelce impressive.

‘Then you look at his offseason, that is when I struggled with him going into last season’.

Travis Kelce’s statistics last year would suggest that the Chiefs star is on the decline

An NFL analyst has said Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift is a reason for his struggles

Magnini – who previously coached the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns – continued: ‘He had the relationship, we had the new TV show, he had the game show, he had the podcast, he was coming off a back-to-back short offseason.

‘That is a lot of stuff for a guy that is that late in his career. One of the things I am really excited about going into this season is, he has not done none of that this offseason. It looks like he is taking some time to reload, this may be his last season.’

The tight end teased the possibility of ending his career following the loss in the Super Bowl and admitted the grind of NFL life had driven him ‘crazy’ last season.

To the joy of Chiefs fans, it was later confirmed that the 35-year-old would return for a 13th season however he did reveal that he would consider the 2026 season later ‘down the road’.

Kelce signed a two-year, $34.25million contract – with $17m guaranteed – back in April 2024.

There is still one year left on that deal in Kansas City, where Kelce has played his entire career since being selected in the third round of the 2013 draft.

The 35-year-old is already a three-time Super Bowl champion but the Chiefs failed in their bid for a historic three-peat.

Eric Mangini listed Kelce’s offseason activities as a distraction for his season preparations

Kelce managed four receptions for 39 yards as the Chiefs were humiliated in the Super Bowl

Kelce has, however, been enjoying his offseason alongside girlfriend Taylor Swift and recently attended an event together for the first time as a couple.

At the Tight End University event, Swift and Kelce were clearly locked in on each other, including sharing some PDA in front of cameras.

Swift has attended 23 NFL games since she started dating Kelce, all while having touring commitments.

That number should skyrocket as Kelce’s time in the NFL may be dwindling with the ‘Anti-Hero’ singer on his arm.