Travis Kelce, star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is expected to sit out the team’s final regular-season game against the Denver Broncos, taking advantage of a mini-bye week to spend time with girlfriend Taylor Swift before the Chiefs gear up for another Super Bowl run.
The Chiefs have just concluded a grueling holiday schedule, playing three games in 10 days, capped off by a 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. That win secured Kansas City the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, guaranteeing home-field advantage throughout the postseason and a first-round bye.
With nothing left to gain in the regular season, head coach Andy Reid is reportedly planning to rest most of his key starters, including Kelce. Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney shared insights during the New Day with SSJ podcast, hinting that Kelce’s downtime might involve a romantic getaway with Swift in New York City.
“Andy I believe got done with the [Steelers] game and gave the guys some time to go do what they want to do,” Sweeney said. “A tight end might be going to New York with his girlfriend, a quarterback might be hanging out with his kids. Who knows what everybody else is doing? But I think it’s a nice reset for these guys. All these guys will practice next week, but I have a zero percent feel that any starter of any significance will play in this game.”
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A Well-Earned Break
Kelce’s Christmas Day performance was historic, as he broke Tony Gonzalez’s record for the most receiving touchdowns in Chiefs franchise history, reaching 77 touchdowns. The game also marked Kelce’s 1,000th career catch, placing him among the NFL’s elite tight ends. Swift, despite not attending the game in Pittsburgh, showed her support by liking social media posts from both the Chiefs and Kelce’s New Heights podcast celebrating his accomplishments.
While Swift was absent from the Steelers game, she has been a regular fixture at Arrowhead Stadium this season, most recently attending Kansas City’s win over the Houston Texans. She arrived at the game in a stylish red jacket, black boots, and a fedora, fueling ongoing engagement rumors after eagle-eyed fans speculated that a ring had been edited out of photos from her recent Eras Tour party.
Time to Reset
Kelce’s rest comes at a crucial time for the Chiefs as they prepare for a deep playoff run. The team is not expected to risk its star players in the January 5 matchup against the Broncos, especially with the postseason looming. Kansas City will return to action in the Divisional Round on January 18 or 19, giving Kelce and the team ample time to recharge.
A Tumultuous Game in Pittsburgh
The Christmas Day game in Pittsburgh wasn’t without drama. While Kelce shined on the field, some Steelers fans made headlines for wearing anti-Taylor Swift T-shirts targeting the pop superstar. Reports on social media claimed one fan, wearing a shirt reading “Taylor Swift sucks,” was ejected from a local bar for being “drunk and combative” after the Steelers suffered their third straight loss.
Looking Ahead
As the Chiefs prepare for the playoffs, Kelce’s mini-break with Swift might provide the perfect opportunity for the couple to enjoy some downtime before the intensity ramps up.
With Kansas City aiming for its third Super Bowl appearance in five years, all eyes will be on Kelce and his team as they attempt another championship run.
