Kelce Has Rough Game

By
Jennifer Gray
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Well, it looks like the Travis Kelce retirement watch is officially in full swing, and this time, NFL fans and analysts might actually have a point.

After another underwhelming performance in the Kansas City Chiefs’ narrow 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Kelce’s supporters are scrambling to explain his latest bout of mediocrity. For a guy who’s usually a highlight-reel regular, four catches for 30 yards just isn’t cutting it, especially when you remember this is the same Kelce who used to bulldoze through defenders like they were tackling dummies. But hey, maybe his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s absence from the game explains it, right? Because, clearly, that’s the problem.

NFL analyst Cris Collinsworth was beside himself on Sunday night, declaring he was “flabbergasted” by Kelce’s lack of production. And he wasn’t the only one scratching his head. After three straight games of lackluster stats, it’s hard to blame Collinsworth and Rodney Harrison for sounding the alarm. Harrison, though, took it one step further, suggesting Kelce’s off-field commitments—commercials, podcasts, and maybe a bit too much Swiftie influence—might be catching up with him. And let’s be real, when your fiercest defenders are Taylor Swift fans on Twitter, you know things have taken a turn.

Harrison’s comments didn’t sit well with Swifties, who quickly rushed to Kelce’s defense, claiming he’s fully “locked in” on football. Locked in? Really? Because Kelce’s stats sure don’t look like they belong to a guy who’s all-in. Let’s compare. In 2021, Kelce had 20 receptions, 289 yards, and three touchdowns through the first three games. Fast forward to 2023, and he’s managed just eight receptions for 69 yards and zero touchdowns. That’s a massive drop-off, and no amount of fan defense is going to change those cold, hard numbers.

But it’s not just the numbers that are telling the story here. Kelce, at 34, is facing what all aging athletes inevitably do—diminishing returns. Sure, Patrick Mahomes says defenses are triple-teaming him, and that’s why he can’t get the ball to Kelce. Maybe, but defenses have always keyed in on Kelce. The difference now is, Kelce doesn’t seem to be making those trademark plays that once set him apart from every other tight end in the league.

And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—retirement. Kelce’s brother, Jason, retired not too long ago, and Travis himself has hinted that football gives him “purpose,” but he’s already knee-deep in commercial deals, podcasting fame, and even acting gigs. From Campbell’s Soup ads to a $100 million podcast deal, Kelce’s got more side hustles than a Silicon Valley startup. At this point, it’s fair to wonder if he’s already halfway out the door, with one foot in Hollywood and the other barely hanging on in the NFL.

So, what’s next for Kelce? If these last three games are any indication, it might be time for him to start thinking seriously about calling it quits. NFL fans are already questioning whether Kelce’s heart is still in it. One fan bluntly posted, “Travis Kelce looks like he’s ready for retirement.” Another chimed in, “Time to move on.” And honestly, they might not be wrong.

Maybe it’s time for Kelce to hang up the cleats, spend more time with his new high-profile girlfriend, and focus on becoming the next big thing in commercials and podcasts. Because on the field, it looks like the magic is fading fast.

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