Travis Kelce, aged 36, has seen a decline in his performance over the past four seasons. Bill Simmons, however, believes there might be another factor contributing to a potentially challenging 2026 season for the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.
During the Wednesday, August 5 episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons, 56, discussed with Mina Kimes the uncertainties surrounding Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from ACL surgery. While addressing the team’s receiving strength, he remarked, “Kelce just got married and is in his mid-30s,” dismissing Kelce’s potential impact.
Kimes, 40, chuckled at the idea that Kelce’s marriage to Taylor Swift would affect his game, prompting Simmons to elaborate. Although he appeared to be jesting, he continued, “I don’t know if his eye is on the prize,” Simmons said. “He just had a wedding with 1,200 people. I don’t know if he cares about the season. Big wedding, I don’t know. I don’t know where his head’s at.”
Despite the speculation, all signs indicate that Kelce is in top physical condition as the season approaches, starting with an exhibition game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 15. Kelce’s coach, Andy Reid, commended his readiness during an interview with NFL Network on Tuesday, August 4.
“He came back in good shape,” Reid stated. “Everyone’s out there saying he’s got the dad body and all this stuff but he looks the same to me as he’s always looked. And just playing like crazy.”
Reid, 68, further noted, “He’s doing a nice job with everything. He’s focused and ready to go, and I appreciate that. When you have someone who’s been here 14 years and wants to be out there every snap…he’s going to play and play hard and aggressive and not be stopped and that’s contagious.”
Travis Kelce’s latest contract includes an unexpected element as he aims to maintain his leadership over the Chiefs. At 36, Kelce agreed to a three-year, $54.735 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, as reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on Monday, March 23. The initial year of Kelce’s contract is valued at $12 million, along with an additional […]
Kelce and Swift, both 36, tied the knot on July 3 in a grand ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York City, attended by Reid. Ahead of the wedding, Reid assured reporters that Kelce remained concentrated on the forthcoming season.
“Listen, he has been here most of the offseason if not the whole offseason. He’s been around. It is good to have him here,” Reid commented. “He did the mandatory camp and [did] a nice job there. It’s good to have him back in and rolling.”
Reid added, “You see no distractions with that and the wedding. It’s like when I got married my wife did everything, so I just kinda followed her lead on it.”
