DINH DOONG

Pop icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce were spotted grabbing lunch together on Wednesday morning at their favorite Kansas City restaurant, just after Kelce taped the latest episode of the New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce.

Swift, who arrived in Kansas City on Tuesday night to reunite with Kelce after missing Sunday’s game, joined her boyfriend at 10:00 a.m. for a leisurely drive through the city, smiling and waving to fans.

The couple, who have become a favorite of both NFL and pop culture fans, enjoyed a quiet meal at their regular restaurant, where Kelce reportedly ordered their favorite cinnamon buns.

The couple’s appearance comes amid increasing media attention and speculation about how Kelce’s personal life might be affecting his performance on the field.

During Wednesday’s episode of New Heights, Kelce addressed rumors about his slow start to the 2024 NFL season. The four-time All-Pro tight end has recorded only eight catches for 69 yards across the first three games — the lowest mark of his career to start a season. Kelce’s on-field struggles, compounded by a viral reaction from the Chiefs’ bench on Sunday night, have sparked criticism from analysts and fans. Many have suggested that his busy offseason and relationship with Swift might be distracting him from football.

Kelce, however, dismissed the notion, telling listeners, “It’s football, baby!” He emphasized that he’s not concerned with individual statistics, focusing instead on his role in the team’s overall success. “I’ve had a lot of catches in this league, man. I’m not worried about catches and yards and all that. I’m happiest when the ball is thrown my way — I mean, who wouldn’t be? But it’s all about execution and making sure we’re doing everything we can to win football games.”

Reflecting on a dropped pass in a crucial moment of last Sunday’s game, Kelce admitted, “I think everyone saw me drop the ball in the fourth quarter on a big third down. I was just trying to do too much before putting the ball away. Probably the most important thing for me is to make plays in big moments like that.”

Kelce also noted that opposing defenses have been limiting his opportunities, but he vowed to continue working hard. “With the way defenses are playing us right now, I don’t get a lot of chances to make plays, but I’m not using that as an excuse. Moving forward, I’ll keep working to help the team any way I can.”

Despite his slow start, the Chiefs are 3-0 after wins against the Ravens, Bengals, and Falcons. However, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has targeted his best friend Kelce less frequently than usual. Kelce, though, remains optimistic. “I don’t get caught up in hitting goals or anything like that. I just want to have a successful offense, and I think Pat is doing a great job finding the right guys and making the right decisions.”

Kelce emphasized the growing pains of integrating new players and pieces into the Chiefs’ offense, while praising head coach Andy Reid and Mahomes for their leadership. “As an offensive team, you’re going to have ups and downs throughout the season. We’re just making sure we iron out any mistakes, and communication is key. Nobody does that better than Coach Reid and Pat.”

With Swift by his side, Kelce is looking to shake off the early criticism and refocus on the rest of the season. Fans will be watching closely as the Chiefs prepare to take on their AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, this Sunday.

For Kelce and the Chiefs, it’s not just about stats — it’s about winning. And with Swift in the stands cheering him on, both the football star and the team hope for continued success.