Travis Kelce admits to ‘not playing the best football’ after looking downcast at game skipped by Taylor Swift
Travis Kelce admits he could be playing “better” football this season.
The NFL star addressed his slow start with the Kansas City Chiefs this week after a video went viral of him appearing sad on the sidelines during their last game against the Atlanta Falcons.
“We’re finding ways to win games, but we’re not playing our best football,” Kelce, 34, said on Wednesday’s episode of his “New Heights“ podcast with brother Jason Kelce. “Everybody can clean it up. I think everyone saw my drop in the fourth quarter with that crucial third down.”
NFL star Travis Kelce, pictured here at the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons game Sunday, admitted to “not playing the best” football lately.Getty Images
The athlete went viral during Sunday’s game for appearing sad on the sidelines.Sunday Night Football NBC
Travis admitted that he was “trying to do too much before putting the ball away” – and that he needs to focus more on “making the play in big time moments.”
“I think with how defenses are playing us right now, I’m not really getting a lot of opportunities to make plays down the field, but not using that as an excuse,” he continued. “Moving forward, [I’m] still trying to make sure that I can help the team out in that regard.”
Travis noted that the Chiefs are working on “tweaking their game in the right direction” and getting “better” as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.
Meanwhile, Jason – who retired from the league earlier this year – pointed out how Chiefs coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes each said they were trying to plan plays with Travis, However, the opposing team defenses were also “working hard at taking [Travis] out of the picture.”
Kelce spoke about the game on Wednesday’s episode of his “New Heights” podcast, as seen here.New Heights/YouTube
Travis mentioned not catching the ball in the fourth quarter on Sunday, as pictured here.Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The tight end said he and his teammates are always trying to get “better.”Getty Images
“Whatever it is, it’s football baby! Come on now, I’m not getting caught up in getting the targets and all that,” Travis replied. “I just wanna have a successful offense, and I think Pat’s doing a great job of finding the open guy and making the right decisions right now.”
Travis doubled down that the Chiefs are “finding how to have success” this year and acknowledged that the team will continue to “go through these ups and downs” throughout the season.
“You just wanna make sure that you clean up all the mistakes, that you’re making sure you’re communicating,” he added, “so everybody understands exactly where we’re going moving forward. And nobody does it better than Coach Reid and Pat Mahomes in that regard.”
Travis, pictured here on the Sept. 15 game against the Bengals, acknowledged that he’s also getting covered by more defenders.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Despite looking downcast during Sunday’s game, Travis insisted that he is “not worried” about his personal successes.Sunday Night Football NBC
Jason then chimed in, explaining how he understands how Travis could be “frustrated” by not being able to get open to catch the ball and score a touchdown.
“I’ve had a lot of catches in this league, man. I’m not worried about the catches and the yards and all of that,” he said.
“I have the most fun when I get the ball thrown my way, I mean, who doesn’t? But it has everything to do with execution and just making sure we’re doing whatever we can to win these football games … that’s always gonna be the goal.”
Travis concluded by saying that as long as the Chiefs –– who are 3-0 –– continue “winning football games,” they are “good to go, baby!”
The video went viral, in part, due to it happening at the first game girlfriend Taylor Swift skipped this season.Annie Wermiel/NY Post
Swift opted to stay in New York City and have dinner with Gigi Hadid, as pictured here on Saturday.Jackson Lee for Page Six
The three-time Super Bowl champion is seemingly back in good spirits following his somber-looking sideline appearance last weekend.
While some fans and sports commentators speculated that he may have been sad due to girlfriend Taylor Swift not being in the crowd, others pointed out how Travis has not had as much of a successful season in years past.
Travis currently has had eight receptions for 69 yards and zero touchdowns over the last three games. Meanwhile, by this time last year, he had already garnered 17 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
