Three months after NFL star Travis Kelce's highly-publicized romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift, questions and criticism are surfacing regarding Kelce's recent performance on the field. The Kansas City Chiefs' tight end has experienced a rough stretch, with the team losing five of their last eight games, leading some to speculate whether his high-profile relationship is affecting his focus and contributing to the team's struggles.

During a recent episode of his Fox Sports show, Craig Carton raised concerns about Kelce's performance, stating, "Kelce is not the Kelce he's been for the last 20 years of his career." Carton pondered whether Kelce's public off-the-field distractions or his age might be factors in his decline. Former NFL player, Damien Woody, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the distractions may be impacting Kelce's game.

Kelce's statistics over the last eight games paint a picture of his diminished performance. He recorded just 42 receptions for 443 receiving yards and one touchdown, a far cry from his usual Hall of Fame-worthy production. In contrast, during the first six games of this season, Kelce showcased his prowess with 48 receptions for 525 yards and four touchdowns.

Outspoken sports commentator Clay Travis went as far as to state, "The Chiefs are not a good football team and Travis Kelce looks like he should retire. He's been worthless the last seven or eight weeks." Travis even speculated that Kelce's COVID-19 vaccinations may have played a part in his decline, or that Swift's presence is akin to the "Chiefs Yoko Ono" effect.

The spotlight on Swift's potential role as a distraction intensified when she was seen attending the Chiefs' 20-14 loss to the Raiders on Christmas Day. Cameras captured her consoling Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes, during the broadcast.

The debate surrounding Kelce's performance and the impact of his high-profile romance continues to divide fans and analysts alike. Skip Bayless, known for his controversial opinions, questioned whether it was time to label Taylor Swift as a distraction. Bayless addressed not only Kelce, but also Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid, and Kelce himself, urging them to address the situation.

As the Chiefs push forward into the remainder of the season, all eyes will be on Travis Kelce to see how he responds to the scrutiny and whether his connection with Taylor Swift remains a talking point. The team's success or failure will undoubtedly fuel further speculation about the impact of off-the-field distractions on on-field performance.