NFL analysts and fans are convinced that Travis Kelce is heading toward retirement after his recent 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 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

The 34-year-old, whose girlfriend Taylor Swift missed a game for the first time this season, was caught by television cameras wearing a particularly pathetic expression on the sidelines in a clip that went viral.

Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl winner, had only four catches for 30 yards in Atlanta when his The sluggish start to the season continued after similar performances against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

NBC chief analyst Cris Collinsworth admitted he was “stunned” by Kelce on Sunday night after watching him struggle against the Ravens in Week 1.

Travis Kelce continued the worst form of his NFL career while fans and analysts advise him to end his career

Kelce and girlfriend Taylor Swift attend the US Open men’s final during their trip to New York

In one comment he said: “I’m just speechless. I mean, one game, so what. Two games, okay.”

“This is the third game now where we haven’t seen the magic of (Patrick) Mahomes and Kelce, and I can’t really explain it.”

Rodney Harrison, another NBC analyst, attributed Kelce’s recent lackluster performance to his other commitments.

He said: “He’s busy. He’s got a lot on his plate. Think about it. He’s doing a lot of different things. As far as the media goes, he’s playing football, he’s got other things going on.”

“In a situation like this, you have to forget everything else and concentrate 100 percent on football. That is the main responsibility.”

“The guys are playing with him. Jesse Bates did a great job against him tonight.”

“He (Kelce) just doesn’t have the same speed. He’s still a good player, but I don’t think he’s a great player.”

Perhaps the clearest indication of Kelce’s current declining support in football is the fact that his most vocal supporters are Taylor Swift fans.

The criticism, especially from Harrison, sparked an angry response from Swifties, who took to social media to defend him.

One posted: “This is such nonsense. Because if you really listen to Trav you know that he is 150% focused on football.”

“Other than the podcast (which he does on his day off), we don’t see him. All the ‘stuff’ he’s involved in was done in the offseason. I’m tired.”

NBC analysts Cris Collinsworth (left) and Rodney Harrison (right) sharply criticized Kelce on Sunday.

Swifties quickly took to social media to defend Kelce after analysts criticized his performance

Another tagged Harrison in his post, writing, “@Rodney_Harrison I see you have a family but what I don’t understand is you saying your wife distracts you from your work. Keep Travis’ personal life out of the game or put your own front and center.”

“This is impossible. Travis stays at the facility late for more reps and then they decide to say this,” a third Swiftie added.

Kelce’s statistics show a significant decline in performance compared to recent years.

After his first three games in 2023, Kelce had 17 pass catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

He opened the 2022 season with 17 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games.

During the same period in 2021, he had 20 pass catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns.

He has yet to score a point this season and has caught just eight passes for 69 yards, the lowest three-game stretch of his entire career.

Towards the end of last season, there was a lot of talk about Kelce’s possible retirement, especially because his brother Jason, only two years older, decided to give up football in March.

But before the start of this season, Kelce admitted that football gives him “a purpose” and that he will have a hard time “figuring out when it’s time to stop.”

He said: “I just love football and how it distracts me from life and gives me something to really enjoy.”

“I enjoy coming into the building, working on my craft, understanding a new game plan and perfecting it for the people around me.

Kelce is in the worst form of his NFL career after a dismal start to the season

“It gives me a purpose to spend my day and live my life, and I enjoy it so much. It’s getting hard to figure out when to stop or not.”

With his numerous endorsement deals and his young career as an actor and television host, Kelce has undoubtedly begun to plan his life around football.

He will star in an upcoming horror series on FX called “Grotesquerie” and host “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?”, which airs on Prime Video. He is also set to star in the highly anticipated “Happy Gilmore” sequel, starring Adam Sandler.

The Wall Street Journal reported in December that Kelce appeared in a whopping 375 commercials during football games, more than any other NFL player.

His contracts, which range from Pfizer to Campbell Soup to Pepsi, were mostly all signed before his love life became public knowledge, but the WSJ claims many sponsors rushed the release of Kelce’s commercials to coincide with his newfound fame.

Kelce also recently signed a $100 million deal with Amazon for his hugely popular podcast, New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason.

Kelce has landed a role in Ryan Murphy’s new show on FX – titled “Grotesquerie”

Kelce was recently dressed as a Roman gladiator in the latest campaign for Pepsi and the NFL

Fans who watched the game on Sunday night spread the impression on social media that the game was over for Kelce.

One wrote: “Travis Kelce looks ready to retire. The regression is insane!”

A second posted: “I hate that Taylor Swift ruined Travis Kelce’s NFL career. He’s too distracted… It’s time for him to step away so he can focus on his girlfriend and his podcast. Time to move on.”

A third added: “Travis Kelce needs to get back to football or quit. He hasn’t played a single game in double figures this season. It’s time to go.”

“The Chiefs have proven three games in a row that Travis is worthless to the team. Rice should get his salary,” another shared.

One fan posted brutally: “Taylor Swift actually ruined Travis Kelce lol. Just let Travis retire, your heart isn’t in it anymore kid and you’ll never be like Gronk.”

Kelce’s most recent bad night came after his girlfriend Swift didn’t show up to a Chiefs game for the first time this season.

The pop megastar was nowhere to be seen in Atlanta despite her busy schedule as she enjoyed a break from her international Eras tour.

On Saturday, Swift was spotted enjoying a relaxed evening with her best friend Gigi Hadid in New York City, where she wore a cool plaid miniskirt as they grabbed a bite to eat at The Corner Store restaurant in SoHo.

The couple are said to be “far more unsettled than they admitted” by the separation agreement, which surfaced earlier this month and suggested an impending separation.

Kelce’s representatives were forced to deny that the couple had plans to go their separate ways after a document written on the letterhead of his US PR firm was circulated online.

It outlined an alleged plan to release an official statement later this month – three days “after the split” – to “allow the initial media hype to die down and provide clarity.”

The documents said the announcement would focus on Kelce’s “personal growth” and portray the separation as a “natural part of life,” and would highlight his “commitment to his career and continued success in the sports industry.”

After their opening game of the season, Kelce and Swift flew back to New York for a romantic weekend together.

They dined at the famous Brooklyn restaurant Lucali, attended the men’s final of the US Open with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes and were also guests at the wedding of model Karen Elson.

Swift was spotted enjoying a casual night out with her best friend Gigi Hadid in New York City on Saturday.

Mahomes claimed after Sunday’s win that opponents’ coverage made it difficult for Kelce to pass the ball to him.

The quarterback said, “I mean, the respect they have for Travis is still incredible and well-deserved.”

“We call a lot of plays for Travis and it’s like two or three people are coming to him.”

“He understands. That’s the great thing about him. He wants to influence the game, but at the end of the day he wants to win.”

“I will try and do my best to pass him the ball whenever he is there and free.”

“I think the more Rashee (Rice) plays, the more we can control the field and the more we can get (Xavier) Worthy involved. I think that will give Travis more room to play.

“People are very keen to take him out and make room for other guys.”