Jason Kelce addresses if Chiefs' Travis Kelce is distracted by off-field matters

Throughout September, analysts and other members of the NFL community routinely questioned if All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce was still fully committed to giving his all to the Kansas City Chiefs amid his slow start to the season and his much-publicized relationship with entertainment superstar Taylor Swift.

Ahead of Kansas City's 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, former Philadelphia Eagles center and current ESPN personality Jason Kelce insisted that certain claims made about his brother are inaccurate .

"I know optics are that he is all over the place," Jason said about Travis during ESPN's pregame coverage, as shared by Karl Rasmussen of Sports Illustrated. "And that's not just optics, that's just reality. But he still keeps the main thing the main thing. Football has always been the most important thing in Travis' life. He has always lived his life to the fullest. He has enjoyed his offseasons very much, even before Taylor Swift ... I think that he is always going to find a way to make football the No. 1 priority."

Specifically, Travis Kelce was criticized for "jet-setting" around the world with Swift during the offseason, for embracing numerous off-the-field business opportunities and for allegedly being "out of shape" due to "partying" throughout the spring and summer months. To his credit, Travis seemed to quiet such takes when he recorded seven receptions for 89 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.

Travis Kelce followed that up by tallying nine catches for 70 yards in Monday's victory over the Saints, which improved Kansas City to 5-0 on the campaign. While he still hasn't scored a touchdown this season, Jason assured viewers that the future Hall of Famer will soon prove he's not yet past his prime even though he turned 35 years old this past weekend.

"I know it's been a slow start for him," Jason continued during the segment. "I know that the optics have certainly appeared that way... Trav is always going to find a way to show up and show out, and I think it's only a matter of time until he gets back to being the Travis Kelce we've seen."

The Chiefs now know that wide receiver Rashee Rice is likely expected to miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury, meaning quarterback Patrick Mahomes will need to lean on Travis Kelce and other available players more than previously thought as Kansas City attempts to become the first team in history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions.

Kelce and his teammates will get a break during the club's Week 6 bye before the Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers in a Super Bowl LVIII rematch on Oct. 20.