NFL analysts and fans are adamant Travis Kelce is hurtling towards retirement after his latest performance continued the worst form of his NFL career.
Kelce played a peripheral role again on Sunday night as the Kansas City Chiefs extended their perfect start to the season to 3-0 with a 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The 34-year-old, whose girlfriend Taylor Swift missed a game for the first time this season, was caught by TV cameras looking particularly miserable on the sideline in a clip which went viral.
Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, only had four catches for 30 yards in Atlanta as his sluggish start to the season continued after similar performances against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
NBC’s lead analyst Cris Collinsworth admitted he was ‘flabbergasted’ by Kelce on Sunday night, having also watched him struggle in week one against the Ravens.
He said on commentary: ‘I’m just flabbergasted. I mean, one game, big deal. Two games, alright.
‘This is the third game now where we have not seen the magic of (Patrick) Mahomes and Kelce, and I can’t really explain that one.’
Rodney Harrison, another NBC analyst, blamed Kelce’s latest lackluster performance on his other commitments.
He said: ‘He’s busy. He’s got a lot on his plate. You think about it. He’s doing a lot of different things. Media-wise, he’s playing football, he’s got other things going on.
‘When you’re in that situation you’ve got to forget about everything else and focus 100 per cent on football. That’s the main responsibility.
‘Guys are making plays on him. Jesse Bates did a heck of a job on him tonight.
‘He (Kelce) just doesn’t have the same speed. He’s a good player still but I don’t believe he’s a great, great player.’
Perhaps the clearest indication of Kelce’s tumbling support in football right now is that his loudest supporters are Taylor Swift fans.
The criticism, in particular from Harrison, drew a furious reaction from Swifties and they took to social media to defend him.
One posted: ‘This is such a bs talking point. Because if you actually paid attention to Trav, he’s 150% locked in on football.
‘Outside of the podcast (that he films on his off day), we do not see him. All of the “stuff” you see him involved with was done during the off season. I’m tired.’
Another tagged Harrison into their post and wrote: ‘@Rodney_Harrison I see you have a family, but what I don’t see if you saying that your wife is distracting you from your job. Keep Travis’s personal life away from the game, or put yours into it.’
‘There’s no way. Travis stays late at the facility getting more reps in and they decide to say that’, added a third Swiftie.
Kelce’s statistics in comparison to recent years show an obvious downturn in performance.
After his first three games in 2023, Kelce had recorded 17 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
He opened the 2022 season with 17 receptions for 230 yards and two touchdowns across his first three games.
In the same period in 2021, he managed 20 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
So far this season he’s yet to score and has only managed eight receptions for 69 yards, which is the lowest for any three-game stretch of his entire career.
Kelce’s potential retirement was talked about heavily towards the end of last season, especially because his brother Jason – who is only two years older – decided to walk away from football in March.
But speaking before the start of this season, Kelce admitted football gives him ‘a purpose’ and that he would find it ‘hard trying to figure out when to call it quits’.
He said: ‘I just love football and how it takes me away from life and it gives me something I can feel genuinely happy about.
‘I enjoy coming in the building, working on my craft, getting to understand a new game plan and perfecting that for the people around me.
Kelce also recently penned a $100million deal with Amazon for his wildly popular ‘New Heights’ podcast that he does with brother Jason.
Fans watching Sunday night’s game flocked to social media to suggest the game is up for Kelce.
One wrote: ‘Travis Kelce looks like he’s ready for retirement. The regression is crazy!’
A second posted: ‘I hate that Taylor Swift has ruined Travis Kelce’s NFL career. He’s too distracted… Time for him to retire so he can focus on his girl and podcast. Time to move on’.
A third added: ‘Travis Kelce needs to get his mind back on football or retire. He hasn’t had a single double digit game this season. Time to be gone.’
‘The Chiefs proving 3 games in a row that Travis is worthless to the team. Rice should be getting his salary,’ another shared.
One fan brutally posted: ‘Taylor Swift actually ruined Travis Kelce lmaoo Just retire Travis, your heart isn’t in it anymore little guy and you’ll never be like Gronk.’
Kelce’s latest off-night came after girlfriend Swift failed to make an appearance at a Chiefs game for the first time this season.
The pop megastar was nowhere to be seen in Atlanta despite her free schedule as she enjoys a break from her international Eras Tour.
On Saturday Swift was spotted on a lowkey night out with BFF Gigi Hadid in New York City, where she rocked a plaid miniskirt as they grabbed a bite to eat at The Corner Store restaurant in SoHo.
The couple are said to be ‘way more rattled than they let on’ by the breakup ‘contract’ that appeared earlier this month and suggested a split was imminent.
Kelce’s representatives were forced to deny that the couple had plans to go their separate ways after a document written on the headed paper of his US PR company was spread online.
It outlined a supposed plan to release an official statement at the end of this month – three days ‘post-break up’ to ‘allow the initial media frenzy to settle and ensure clarity’.
The paperwork stated the announcement would focus on Kelce’s ‘personal growth’ by framing the breakup as a ‘natural part of life’. It would also highlight his ‘commitment to his career and his ongoing achievements in the sports industry.’
After their opening game of the season, Kelce and Swift flew back to New York together for a romantic weekend.
They dined out at famous Brooklyn restaurant Lucali, attended the US Open men’s final with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes and also were guests at the wedding of model Karen Elson.
