Travis Kelce Visibly Downcast Despite Chiefs' Win With Taylor Swift Absent

Travis Kelce could not mask his disappointment, even after the Chiefs' win. The NFL star, usually the life of the party, appeared despondent—a stark contrast to his usual post-game energy. 

His subdued mood may have been linked to the absence of his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, whose absence seemed to take a toll on him. Additionally, Kelce might have felt the pressure after another NFL player threatened to use Swift-related taunts against him. 

Despite the victory, Taylor Swift's absence seems to have left a noticeable void, casting a shadow over Travis Kelce's game-day celebration.

The Kansas City Chiefs maintained their flawless start to the season, securing a 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, but their star tight end, Kelce, could not shake off his disappointment. 

Despite the reigning Super Bowl champions extending their record to 3-0, Kelce's downcast expression stole the spotlight. Cameras caught him looking unusually subdued on the sidelines—a clip that quickly went viral.

The 34-year-old, known for his high energy and game-day passion, appeared visibly deflated, a stark contrast to his usual post-win demeanor. The likely reason? The absence of his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, who was noticeably missing from the stands for the first time this season.

According to the Daily Mail, Kelce's lackluster performance against the Falcons only added to his apparent frustration. With just four catches for 30 yards, the NFL star seemed to struggle without the pop sensation's supportive presence.

At one point, Kelce was seen rubbing his right eye before staring blankly into space, a moment that captured the emotional toll Swift's absence may have taken on him.

This season has been a sluggish start for the All-Pro tight end, who is aiming to add another Super Bowl ring to his impressive collection.

Kelce's sluggish start to the NFL season has raised eyebrows, with the star player managing just 69 yards over three games.

While some may believe it is the absence of his popstar girlfriend, his friend and Chiefs quarterback Mahomes has offered an explanation: rival defenses are making it their mission to shut Kelce down.

In the recent game against the Atlanta Falcons, Kelce's performance was again underwhelming despite doubling his reception tally to eight. 

Mahomes, however, does not blame his teammate for the dip in production. Instead, he pointed out that the respect Kelce commands on the field is leading to extra attention from opposing teams.

"The respect factor they have for Travis is still unreal and it's well deserved. We're calling a lot of plays for Travis, and it's like two or three people are going to him," Mahomes said post-game. 

Mahomes emphasized that this defensive strategy is making it challenging to get the ball to Kelce, but the tight end remains focused on the bigger picture.

While Mahomes downplayed concerns about Kelce's early-season struggles, it is worth noting that Bates had revealed a different strategy to get inside the Chiefs star's head for their Sunday game. 

Bates might not be a Swiftie, but he was more than aware of her influence and was ready to use it to his advantage on the field.

The Blast reported that in an appearance on the "Pacman Jones Show," Bates candidly admitted that he was prepared to engage in some serious trash talk aimed at Kelce and he was not ruling out mentioning his high-profile girlfriend. 

The 27-year-old, known for his competitive edge, admitted, "Once that clock ticks and we in between those lines, you know, I see red sometimes. I might say some crazy stuff to [Travis]. It may involve Taylor [Swift, or] it may not, but it's just part of the game — talking your little smack."

Despite the potential for Swift-themed jabs, Bates was clear that his intentions were not rooted in disrespect.

As rumors swirled about whether the "Shake It Off" singer would make an appearance at the recently held game, the pop icon was seen enjoying a stylish outing in New York City.

The 34-year-old was photographed rocking a dark crop top paired with a plaid skirt and heeled booties. 

The singer was not alone—she was accompanied by supermodel Gigi Hadid, who looked equally chic in a dark trench coat and beige slacks. The duo were spotted grabbing a bite at The Corner Store via exclusive photos from Page Six.

Although it is now clear that she did not attend the game, Swift's tightly guarded schedule left room for speculation. With her "Eras Tour" not resuming until October 18 in Miami, fans had reason to hope for a surprise appearance.

In light of the affection between Kelce and Swift, which some speculate influenced his somber demeanor during the Chiefs vs. Falcons game, it is fitting that their romance is to be spotlighted in an upcoming children's book. 

Titled "The Kelce Brothers: A Little Golden Book Biography," this charming release will showcase the lives of Travis and his older brother Jason, featuring vibrant illustrations.

As reported by The Blast, the book includes a special section dedicated to the budding relationship between the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and the pop superstar. 

It describes their first meeting and how their fans have loved seeing Swift cheering from the sidelines at Kelce's games. One notable passage highlights their journey together:

"In 2023, Travis started dating singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Their fans loved seeing Taylor cheering at Travis's games alongside his friends and family." 

Another segment reflects on their joyous moment when the Chiefs returned to the Super Bowl in February 2024, with Swift there to celebrate his third championship victory. This portrayal positions the songwriter as Kelce's lucky charm, adding a heartwarming twist to their love story.