Jason Kelce slams critics for claiming Taylor Swift is to be blamed for Travis Kelce's 'slow start'

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Jason Kelce knows where to stand up!

The 36-year-old retired NFL star, who has started working as a 'Monday Night Countdown' analyst with ESPN, recently hit back at the critics who claimed Travis Kelce’s much-talked-about “slow start” is due to Taylor Swift. 

The former Philadelphia Eagles star went to Arrowhead Stadium to cover the match between the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints, when he clapped back at the criticism aimed at his brother and the Chiefs’ tight end, Travis Kelce, 35.

Jason Kelce defends Travis Kelce’s performance

Jason Kelce, who retired from the NFL in March this year, defended his brother Travis’ “slow start,” saying, "Optics are that he is all over the place.”

Jason continued to explain in his pre-match analysis session on October 7, that though Travis spent most of the summer with his Grammy-winner girlfriend, "football has always been the most important thing in Trav's life,” per E! News. 

He elaborated, "He has always lived his life to the fullest," before adding, "He has enjoyed his off-seasons very much even before Taylor Swift and everything else that was going on in our lives."

He further noted while apparently deflecting the criticism that although he is currently making headlines for his high-profile romance with Taylor Swift, Travis “is always going to find a way to make football the number one priority."

He acknowledged, "I know it's been a slow start for him," and added, "Trav is always gonna find a way to show up and show out. It's only a matter of time before he gets back."

However, Jason is not the only one acknowledging Travis’ “slow start,” as the Chiefs’ tight end too admitted that he and his team were "not playing our best football" at the start of the season.

He shared on his and Jason’s 'New Heights' podcast on September 25, "Everybody can clean up," and added, "Moving forward, everyone's just tweaking their game in the right direction."

Jason Kelce praised Taylor Swift’s match-day look

In an adorable moment, Jason Kelce, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, even deviated from his pre-match analysis when the ‘Love Story’ artist entered the stadium to cheer for her beau. 

As the camera panned to Swift, Jason exclaimed, "Hey, look at that now," before adding, "She’s got the part on right there. That looks good," per Page Six.

The ‘Cruel Summer’ singer added the right amount of glamor in 'Monday Night Football' as she appeared looking exquisite in a gray Vivienne Westwood plaid dress and accessories. Her make-up was on point as the ‘Bejeweled’ singer appeared with loads of glittered freckles paired with her signature red lips.