Fans have begged Travis Kelce to retire after the 2024 season, but the NFL star has already stated his plans.
The 34-year-old Kansas City Chiefs great tight end has had the most disappointing three-game start of his 12-year NFL career.
Kelce spent his summer having fun, whether it was with his girlfriend and music icon Taylor Swift or acting in commercials and TV shows.
However, he has had a dismal start to the season, totaling eight receptions for 69 yards and zero touchdowns.
Kelce appeared disappointed on the sidelines during the Chiefs’ latest Sunday Night Football victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Kansas City has managed to remain unblemished 3-0 thus far.
But former ESPN TV analyst Todd McShay commented about the All-Pro tight end, citing his off-field activities as one of the causes for his troubles.
“Every show I watch, every pregame show, halftime show, postgame show, weekday show, every broadcast I watch for the last few weeks, it’s like are we not allowed to say that he’s out of shape, that he’s been partying all offseason?” McShay stated this on Monday during The Ryen Russilo Podcast.
“He’s been jet-setting around with the most renowned person perhaps in the entire world, and he’s drinking while attending the US Open.
“You can’t be doing all of those things and still be the same person physically as you were in 2022.”
Fans have gone a step further, claiming Kelce should retire.
“Kelce has lost his interest in football.” “He should retire and free up salary cap space,” one person suggested.
“Kelce is retiring after this season. “I guarantee it,” another person added.
“Kelce needs to focus on football or retire. “It’s time to go,” a third added.
Before the season, Kelce went on The Rich Eisen Show and stated that he has no plans to retire from the NFL.
“It didn’t cross my mind one bit,” said the two-time Super Bowl champion earlier this month.
“I suppose the excitement of this year’s challenge, and the possibility of doing it for the third time in a row, was all I needed.
“That was an instant thought, so there was really not a chance in hell that I wasn’t coming back this year.”
“I’m just having so much fun, you know, just so appreciative and so fortunate that I’ve been able to come into year 12 and still have this energy and this love and the ability to go out there and get to work.”
Kelec signed a two-year contract extension for $34.2 million in April.
The contract made him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
After Sunday’s game, Kansas City superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes defended Kelce and discussed his poor start.
“It’s weird because clubs still — the respect they have for Travis is unbelievable. “It’s well-deserved,” the three-time MVP stated.
“We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis, and it appears that just two or three players are going to him. He understands — and that’s what’s amazing about him — that he wants to make an influence on the game while also winning.”
The Chiefs will face their home team, the Los Angeles Chargers, in Week 4.
