THERE's no doubt Travis Kelce is going to the NFL Hall of Fame - but his star power at the Kansas City Chiefs could be fading.
The 34-year-old tight end took just three receptions for 34 yards in last week's NFL opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
Last month, Kelce, 34, came out swinging after it was put to him his advancing years could see his role in the team lessen.
"I probably wouldn't listen to them if they did [try]," he told ESPN, addressing his workload.
Kelce committed his next two seasons to the Chiefs in the offseason, penning a reported $34 million extension.
It comes after he suffered a drop-off in production during 2023, albeit from a ceiling of elite numbers.
Kelce totaled 984 receiving yards last season, failing to record a 1,000-receiving campaign for the first time since 2015.
That's hardly a disaster for any tight end and is only being highlighted because we're used to Kelce putting up monster production.
However, digging deeper into the numbers, Travis averaged a career-low 10.6 yards per catch, while his five touchdowns were his lowest total since 2019.
He wasn't alone - the entire Chiefs offense struggled in 2023.
It was only the brilliance of Mahomes that somehow propelled the team through a tough playoff schedule and past the 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII.
Throughout the season, Kelce regularly found himself in double coverage as his fellow receivers continued to be plagued by drops.
The Chiefs have since invested heavily in their receiving corps, with rookie Xavier Worthy and wideout Hollywood Brown providing Mahomes with much-needed speed and experience.
Thursday night's win also showed TE Noah Gray can be relied upon in the passing game, as Kelce eventually prepares to pass on the torch to his understudy.
With playmakers across the roster, Kelce no longer has to carry the offense on his sizeable shoulders.
Despite his downturn in overall production, Kelce's girlfriend Taylor Swift appears to have had a sizeable impact on his game-day performance - for the better.
Last season, in the six games the 14-time Grammy winner missed, Kelce took 36 catches for just 300 yards and three touchdowns.
That's good for an average of 6 catches and 50 yards per game, according to data collected by Sporting News.
Swift attended a total of 13 games across both the regular season and playoffs in 2023.
She watched her man win 10 times, witnessing three losses.
Across those contests, the veteran turned out in front of his beau and averaged an impressive 6.8 catches and 79.9 yards.
Swift has reportedly fallen in love with football and has even drawn up plays for her man ahead of the new season.
After another W in Week 1, Chiefs fans will hope she remains a lucky charm in 2024.
Kelce has already admitted he's entering the final straight of his illustrious NFL career.
He struggled with a knee injury last summer and told NBC over the offseason he would "play until the wheels fall off."
"I can definitely understand that [my career] is toward the end of the road than the beginning of it," he added.
"I just gotta make sure I'm set up for after football as well."
Kelce's offseason distractions are numerous, with a $100 million podcast alongside brother Jason and a fledging movie career in the words.
The U.S. Sun recently revealed that Kelce is eyeing up a potential full-time career in Hollywood once he finally hangs up his cleats.
Kelce is already balancing his acting career with football, shooting scenes in LA for the upcoming FX series Grotesquerie over the offseason.
Ultimately, Kelce has already secured his legacy as one of the greatest tight ends to play the game, whether the Chiefs three-peat or not.
Don't be shocked if the Ohio star is walking up to receive a fourth Super Bowl ring in New Orleans next February.
Is he still the all-conquering tight end we witnessed torch defenses for over 1,400 yards in 2021? Probably not.
The numbers suggest we could be entering the final victory lap - so enjoy him while you can.