Travis Kelce’s final days in the NFL: Why the Chiefs star is headed for retirement sooner than expected…

NFL experts and fans are speculating about the future of Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce as his performance shows signs of decline during his 12th NFL season.

With his 36th birthday approaching next year and his numbers falling short of past glory, some believe Kelce may be eyeing retirement sooner rather than later.

The Chiefs, currently 11-1, have leaned heavily on Kelce for over a decade, but this season has brought a noticeable shift. Kelce has recorded just 682 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games-his lowest output since 2015.

Meanwhile, fellow tight end Noah Gray is emerging as a reliable option, with four touchdowns this season.

The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer suggests Penn State’s Tyler Warren could be a prime candidate, while Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling highlights Bowling Green standout Harold Fannin Jr., whose impressive season includes 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns.

“It’s time for the Chiefs to start planning for life after Travis Kelce,” Easterling wrote, emphasizing Fannin’s potential as an ideal understudy.

Kelce, a 9-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer, recently addressed his longevity on his podcast New Heights, co-hosted with his brother, Jason Kelce.

After breaking Tony Gonzalez’s record as the fastest tight end to reach 12,000 career receiving yards, Travis remarked, “That’s almost 40 more games? I don’t know if I can play 40 more.”

Though he laughed off the comment, fans took it as a possible hint about his plans.

With Kelce’s current contract running through 2025, some fans speculate he may fulfill the deal before retiring.

However, others believe this could be his final season.