NFL expert questions if Kansas City Chiefs superstar is entering ‘pattern of decline’

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Travis Kelce is suiting up as the highest-paid tight end in 2024 and is hell-bent on bouncing back after a season where he looked off the pace until the playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has been a victim of his own success in 2023, with a standard that he has set for over a decade.

Travis Kelce will go down as the greatest tight end to have ever stepped foot on the field in the NFL and managed to surpass legend Tony Gonzalez; something nobody expected.

Travis Kelce has his worst season in overall receiving yards since 2015

The seven-time All-Pro failed to reach 984 yards on the season which snapped his NFL recording setting seven consecutive seasons off 1,000 yards or more.

Moreover, the 34-year-old scored only five touchdowns, his lowest figure since 2019.

Yet, just like the franchise as a collective, Kelce found his best form in the most important point of the season – the playoffs.

For the first time with Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs entered the playoffs in the Wildcard round against the Miami Dolphins.

In the four games en route to his third ring, Kelce produced 355 yards and three scores. In addition, he broke Jerry Rice’s all-time postseason reception record and has set a new one with 165.

Sam Monson asks if Travis Kelce ‘has hit the age where he is just not going to look the same’

Age is creeping up on Travis Kelce and Pro Football Focus expert Sam Monson has hinted that the nine-time Pro Bowler’s production last season is a big question.

“Travis Kelce did not look like Travis Kelce for an extended period of time, and he turned it on in the playoffs, but the regular season Travis Kelce did not look the same,” he proclaimed via YouTube.

“Travis Kelce is an interesting unknown, has he hit the age where he is just not going to look the same? Or did he just have a bad year deep into his 30s and that obviously [makes] you start looking for the pattern of decline?”

Sam Monson has narrowed in on the fact Travis Kelce remains a huge asset for the roster but did experience a down year for his standards.

Travis Kelce is approaching the twilight of his career and has been questioned about life post-football

Kelce is only human and age is a key factor in a sport that is focused on agility, concentration, and strength.

Furthermore, the star player has been questioned about retirement with two years left on his current deal.

Kelce has proclaimed he wants to be a broadcaster when he hangs up his cleats but has explained how he will not be considering that anytime soon.

At the recent mandatory minicamp, Kelce suggested that he does not want his workload to alter.

Meanwhile, he stated that he wants to win close to six/seven rings in his career meaning retirement is not at the forefront of his mind.