Travis Kelce's Relationship with Taylor Swift Draws Praise from Former Teammate
“He outkicked his coverage,” Derrick Johnson remarked, reflecting on Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift. The former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, who played alongside Kelce from 2013 to 2017, shared his thoughts on the couple's dynamic during an interview.
Johnson, now 42, observed the budding romance between the football star and the global icon, Swift, 35, which began in 2023. “Taylor’s big time. Kelce’s big time as well, football-wise, but she is globally,” he noted, emphasizing their status as a formidable pair.
During their five seasons together, Johnson witnessed Kelce’s evolution as a player. “None of us knew who he could really be,” he admitted. “He probably didn’t know it at all either. And once he got going after his second year, third year, I was like, ‘This guy is the man!’”
While Kelce is now in a committed relationship, he was still navigating the dating scene when Johnson was on the team. The tight end's reality dating show, Chasing Kelce, aired during their time together, prompting some light-hearted teasing from teammates.
“He tried not to [talk about the show in the locker room], but we kind of teased him at times,” Johnson recalled. “When you’re playing for [head coach] Andy Reid, there’s no distractions. You got to do your job and do it at a high level.”
Despite the playful ribbing regarding his dating life, Johnson acknowledged that Kelce had no trouble attracting attention. “He had that taken care of,” he said. “Good or bad, that’s the area that he needs no help in.”
As Kelce prepares for his 13th NFL season, he is set to face the Los Angeles Chargers on September 5. After a less-than-stellar statistical performance last year, he admitted that his off-field aspirations may have diverted his focus.
“I think it might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up,” Kelce explained in a recent GQ cover story. “Opportunities came up where I was excited to venture into a new world of acting and being an entertainer.”
Entering this season, Kelce remains resolute about his goals. “Win a Super Bowl is the only goal,” he stated emphatically. “It’s the only goal. It’s every goal.”
