KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: In a dramatic shift, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has decided to temporarily put his high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift on hold.
Kelce is reportedly focusing all his energy on his final NFL season, citing the distractions of his personal life as a key factor in his struggles during the previous season.
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Travis Kelce puts football first
Kelce’s decision comes after he openly expressed that his dip in form last season, particularly the Chiefs’ crushing defeat in February’s Super Bowl LVIII, was partially due to the increased attention surrounding his relationship with Swift.
According to sources close to the player, Kelce is committed to putting football first in his last attempt to secure another championship.
“Travis is going all in for this season and the only thing that could derail him would be injury. Losing the Super Bowl was a major blow, as he wants to be someone that can have it all and one who can handle having it all,” an insider shared with the Daily Mail.
The report added that Kelce, who is nearing the end of his contract, is gearing up for what might be his final season in the NFL.
The 35-year-old tight end is determined to push hard for another Super Bowl title, acknowledging that distractions from last season affected his focus.
“His on field play needs to improve, and he knows that, especially since he is on his last contracted season and is heavily leaning towards retirement after this season,” the source explained.
They added, “He wants to be the reason that the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl and hopefully win it again. If this ends up being his last season, as he is gearing towards, he wants to go all in, and Taylor is all about it.”
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s public romance faces challenges
The star couple’s relationship, which went public in September 2023, has captured the attention of both sports and music fans alike.
While Kelce’s career seemed unaffected in the early months of their romance — with the Chiefs triumphing in last year’s Las Vegas Super Bowl — this past season proved more challenging.
Reports began circulating that Kelce felt the pressure of balancing his career with the intense media scrutiny surrounding his personal life.
In particular, a pre-Super Bowl dinner with Swift and Kelce’s Chiefs teammates, including Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany, drew criticism.
Some saw the dinner, held just two days before the big game at a trendy French restaurant, as an unnecessary distraction.
“Had they won, different discussions would be happening right now about everything in his world and life,” the source remarked, adding that Kelce doesn’t blame Swift or his relationship for the team’s loss.
“Travis’s outside ventures and relationship with Taylor took lots of his time this past season but he refuses to put blame on either her or everything else, because it was just a bad day at the office this past Super Bowl,” source continued.
A close source confirmed that Swift is fully supportive of his decision, adding, “Him and Taylor are going great, his outside football ventures are amazing.”
