One important detail to keep in mind is that the MTV Video Music Awards are also taking place today, Sunday, September 27. The event is being held in Los Angeles, so Swift’s schedule could make it difficult for her to attend the ceremony if she travels to Miami.

So far in the 2026 NFL season, Swift has been in the stands for the Chiefs’ victories. Both games, played at Arrowhead Stadium, ended in wins over the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts.

The singer is often seen alongside Kelce at various points throughout the season, although there is still no confirmation that she will travel to Miami for Week 3. If her presence can be considered a good-luck charm, having her at the stadium could potentially provide a boost for the Chiefs.

Kelce is back to his best in 2026

Travis Kelce is off to a flying start in the 2026 season, racking up 172 receiving yards on 12 catches and a touchdown through the first two games to keep the Chiefs undefeated. He looks completely rejuvenated out on the field, and even Andy Reid credited Kelce and Taylor Swift’s marriage for giving the veteran tight end that extra spark and work ethic heading into his 14th year in the league.

When is the Chiefs’ next game at Arrowhead?

After back-to-back road trips against the Dolphins in Week 3 and the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, followed by their Week 5 bye, the Chiefs finally return to Arrowhead Stadium for their next home game on Sunday, October 18, to face the Los Angeles Chargers. It marks their first game in Kansas City in nearly a month, making it the ideal spot for Taylor Swift to return to her luxury suite and cheer on Travis Kelce as divisional action resumes.

Key takeaways

• Taylor Swift’s attendance is not guaranteed at Hard Rock Stadium for Week 3.
• Travis Kelce recorded 172 receiving yards and one touchdown through two games.
• Kansas City returns to Arrowhead Stadium for their next home game on October 18.

Swift attended Week 2’s Sunday Night Football between the Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium, just like she did in Week 1 when Kansas City hosted another primetime game against the Denver Broncos. She was a privileged spectator to a dominant performance by her husband, Kelce. Following the Chiefs’ buzzer-beater win over the Colts in overtime, Reid made a sincere statement about Kelce’s wife’s role in his recent success.

“[Kelce] worked his tail off, that’s the bottom line. He likes his surrounding cast that’s around him, too. It sure helps. It takes a lot of pride in that. Everybody questioned with the wedding and honeymoon, would he be out of shape? He works his rear end off. I think Taylor [Swift], you’re putting on four-hour shows, you’ve gotta work hard, too. I’m sure she kicks him in the butt a little bit there, too,” Reid said during an interview on KSHB 41 News.

Iron sharpens iron. Since the couple got together, there were concerns about whether Swift would be a distraction to Kelce on gameday as the spotlight shifted onto the Kelce family suite at Arrowhead Stadium. That couldn’t have been any further from the truth, and since the two superstars wed in the summer in New York City, they’ve only been off to a great start, which is best exemplified by Kelce’s numbers in the 2026 NFL season.

Kelce’s red-hot start to 2026

While Reid faces a challenge in balancing Kenneth Walker III and Emmett Johnson’s touches in the backfield, it’s clear he has no worries when it comes to the tight-end position. Not as long as Kelce is playing the way he’s done so far in the 2026 NFL season.

After dealing with retirement rumors all offseason long and coming off a disheartening 2025 campaign in which he finished with a third-career-worst 76 receptions, second-worst 851 yards and five touchdowns, something has clicked for Kelce. Reid has reasons to believe it has to do with his wedding, held on July 3 at Madison Square Garden.

Indeed, the sample size remains small, but Kelce’s first two outings of the season are more than encouraging. So far, Kelce has caught 12 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. At this pace, he’s projected to finish the season with 102 catches, 1,462 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

It goes without saying, but those would be impressive numbers for a 36-year-old (turns 37 on Oct. 5) many believe is playing his last season in the NFL. If he finishes the year with these numbers, however, it won’t take long before fans in Kansas City, and Reid included, grow convinced there’s still a lot left in the tank.

The Chiefs are back

There will be time for that conversation later. For the time being, Reid and the Chiefs will enjoy this reborn version of Kelce, which Swift may deserve a lot of credit for. In perfect “Love Story” fashion, there is a new prince and princess in The City of Fountains, and that’s just what the Chiefs Kingdom needed.

Patrick Mahomes is healthy, Andy Reid is still Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce is back to his old ways. The sky is the limit for Kansas City, and the NFL must take cover before the sky is painted red.

Key takeaways

• Andy Reid credited Taylor Swift’s work ethic for motivating her husband’s strong season start.
• Travis Kelce caught 12 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown through two games.
• The couple officially married on July 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The officials did not throw a flag, allowing Mahomes’ touchdown to stand and giving Kansas City an early lead in a game the Chiefs eventually won 31-10. The play immediately generated debate, with the broadcast crew questioning whether Kelce had gotten away with an offensive holding penalty.

Days later, Kelce addressed the controversial moment on the New Heights podcast and acknowledged that the officials could have called him for holding. Rather than dismissing the criticism, the Chiefs tight end admitted that he knew the play was dangerously close to drawing a flag.

Did referees made a wrong call in Chiefs vs Broncos?

Travis Kelce described the play as a moment when a player immediately knows he may have crossed the line. He explained that he got up slowly after the play because he was hoping the officials had not seen the contact with Talanoa Hufanga. “It was definitely a questionable play. That’s one of those where you get up slowly like please don’t be any laundry on the field.”

Kelce went even further by acknowledging that the correct decision could have been a holding penalty. With Hufanga attempting to close in on Mahomes near the goal line, Kelce’s block prevented the Broncos safety from getting a clean opportunity to stop the quarterback. The officials ultimately allowed the touchdown to stand, but Kelce admitted that Kansas City was taking a significant risk on the play.

“You can’t do it. Almost cost us and, to be honest, that would have been Patrick Mahomes’ second rushing touchdown called back in two plays. That would have taken us out of the red zone. That was risky business right there.”

Chiefs avoided a costly penalty on Mahomes’ return

The timing made the non-call even more important because Patrick Mahomes had already seen a rushing touchdown wiped out earlier in the drive because of an offensive holding penalty. A second holding call would have erased another potential score and pushed Kansas City back, completely changing the situation inside the red zone.

Instead, Mahomes reached the end zone and the Chiefs took control early in the game. The quarterback’s touchdown was especially significant because it came in his first regular-season game since suffering his major knee injury in December 2025, making his return to the field immediately memorable.

Travis Kelce is expected to play, and also to be an important part of this offense. He has unmatched chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who should be playing vs Broncos, and will be a reliable escape valve.

Being at home, Kelce will get the crowd going again. In fact, head coach Andy Reid told the press, “He’s focused in and ready to go, and I appreciate that, when you have somebody who’s been here 14 years and wants to be out there every snap… he’s going to play and play hard and be aggressive and not be stopped, and that’s contagious.”

Kelce himself needs a bounce back season

Kelce will enter his 14th season in the NFL. By his standards, the 13th year was not a good one. He faced a statistical dip last year during the Chiefs’ tough 6-11 campaign. However, he still led the team with 76 receptions, 851 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

Kelce admitted he wants to play at a higher level, improve his blocking, and be a stronger leader for his teammates. Many expect this to be his final run, making him eager to avoid ending his career on a down note.

The Broncos are a tough test for Kelce

Kelce has historically dominated the Broncos. However, recent improvements have make them a much tougher test for the tight end. Denver’s defensive coordinator Vance Joseph puts Jahdae Barron in man-to-man coverage to limit Kelce’s advantage over linebackers.

In their last meeting in December 2025, the Broncos’ defensive adjustments held Kelce to a quiet 5 catches for 36 yards. The Broncos secured a 20-13 victory over the Chiefs. Now, the tight end must overcome a scheme designed to make his life tougher.

According to Nate Taylor of ESPN, the Chiefs will keep Jake Briningstool on their 53-man roster. Taylor also reported that “Briningstool, who went undrafted last year, had a strong training camp & was impressive in the preseason as a pass catcher & a willing blocker.”

On the other side, Tre Watson was cut from the team. Hence, Briningstool, who is 23 years old, stands at 6’6″ and weighs around 240 lbs, earned the trust over Watson. Given that Kelce might be retiring soon, Briningstool could get more prominence in the next couple of seasons.

Chiefs TE depth chart for 2026

Travis Kelce is still the undisputed TE1 of the team. However, the Chiefs are previewing a future without him. Kelce is 36 years old and has been regressing for the last couple of years. With his retirement looming, this is how the depth chart is looking:

• Travis Kelce
• Noah Gray
• Jared Wiley
• Jake Briningstool
• Mason Pline

Briningstool’s college stats

Out of Clemson, Briningstool played four years for the Tigers. In 2024, he racked up 530 yards with seven touchdowns. He comes from a blue-chip program and into a top-tier NFL franchise with arguably the best head coach in the league.

“He’s playing his tail off right now, and he’s leading us,” the tight end revealed during his press conference. These are not only words of reassurance for Andy Reid, but also for the entire Chiefs Kingdom, who are eager to quickly return to the top of the NFL.

Kelce also made it clear that he still has plenty to give his team at this stage of his career: “I still got a lot of love for this game. You know, I still think I can go out and play at a high level, and I want to go out there and prove to myself that I could play at a better level than I did last year.

“I think that’s probably the biggest thing for me is making sure that I’m accountable for the guys in this room and every single play that I’m out there.”

A dynamic duo to watch

After a complicated 2025 campaign that saw the Kansas City Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce enter the new season determined to recapture their legendary form.

As one of the most iconic quarterback-tight end duos in NFL history, the pair built a dynasty in Kansas City, securing three Super Bowl titles (LIV, LVII, and LVIII) and breaking the all-time NFL postseason record for most playoff touchdown connections by a duo with 16.

Following a year marked by offensive rhythm breakdowns and injury setbacks, the historic duo is focused on resetting the standard, rebuilding their uncanny telepathic connection, and firing the Chiefs back into championship contention.

When will they take the field?

The Kansas City Chiefs will gear up for the upcoming campaign with three 2026 preseason matchups, opening at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 15, heading on the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, August 22, and closing out exhibition play at Arrowhead Stadium against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, August 28.

It remains uncertain whether head coach Andy Reid will give Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce any snaps during these games, as NFL teams frequently rest marquee veterans during the preseason to minimize injury risk ahead of the regular season.

“He looked pretty good. He stayed in shape,” the head coach said, via The Athletic. “He did a lot of dancing at his wedding.” Reid knows that, even if his No. 87 drops a pass, the impact Kelce has on the younger players around him remains extremely important.

“He works so hard, and he wants to be in there,” Andy Reid also added. “For a young guy to look at that … it’s hard for them to make an excuse to take a rep off, because he’s out there going.”

The criticism surrounding Kelce has focused on questions about his physical condition and his lack of rhythm during training camp. Can one of the most talented tight ends in NFL history overcome those concerns in the short term?

Kelce wants to improve on his 2025 season

After pondering retirement following a disappointing season in which the Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Travis Kelce re-signed on a one-year deal aiming to prove he still has elite football left in the tank.

Entering his 14th NFL campaign, the 36-year-old tight end is motivated to rebound from a modest 2025 stat line—where he recorded 76 receptions, 851 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns, and an 11.2 yards-per-catch average—as he seeks to bounce back alongside Patrick Mahomes and restore Kansas City to championship contention.

More options for Reid

It is clear that Andy Reid relies on Travis Kelce as the leader of his tight end room. However, if there is a potential decline in his performance, these are the other names he will have available for the season.

• Noah Gray
• Jared Wiley
• Tre Watson
• Jake Briningstool
• Mason Pline

A tough start to the season for the Chiefs

Getting back into the spotlight is a priority. To do so, the Chiefs will need to start on the right foot in what is expected to be a highly competitive season.

• Week 1, vs Denver Broncos
• Week 2, vs Indianapolis Colts
• Week 3, at Miami Dolphins
• Week 4, at Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 5, Bye Week

Ahead of the start of the regular season, they will have three preseason games: first against the Los Angeles Rams, then against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and finally against the Seattle Seahawks.

“[Swift is] a huge fan of the Knicks and really wants to be there to support them. She is going with friends,” as reported by Page Six. Whether Kelce is included in the friend group or not, that’s unclear. Perhaps, if Kelce were to join her, the source would’ve noted it. The fact there is no mention of Kelce suggests he won’t be in New York.

Most signs suggest Kelce isn’t making the trip to the Big Apple to catch Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs. First, he is currently participating in the Kansas City Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp back in Missouri. Second, the Cleveland Heights native may still not be over his Cavaliers’ 4-0 defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Kelce is staying loyal to both his NFL organization and the basketball team he grew up rooting for. Most likely, Swift won’t be joined by Kelce at the “World’s Most Famous Arena.” Still, there will be no shortage of celebrities in attendance. In addition to Swift, MSG regulars Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay, and many others may also be sitting courtside during Game 4.

Is Taylor Swift a Knicks fan?

Born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Swift grew up somewhat close to New York City and well within Knicks territory. Over the years, she has repped the orange and blue countless times and has attended games at Madison Square Garden.

Most notably, Swift and Kelce sat courtside at Rocket Arena during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when the soon-to-be-married couple’s childhood teams—the Knicks and Cavaliers, respectively—met. Ultimately, Swift had the last laugh as New York swept Cleveland en route to the organization’s first Finals appearance since 1999.

MSG will host Swift and Kelce’s wedding

Swift may have also gotten her wish regarding the wedding venue. According to reports, Swift and Kelce will get married on July 3 at Madison Square Garden. Thus, as she watches the Knickerbockers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Swift may also have time to analyze the venue and make any last-minute adjustments.

As for Kelce, he’s busy gearing up for the 2026 NFL season. While his fiancée enjoys a night out in the City That Never Sleeps, he’ll remain in the City of Fountains working on his craft.

“Bieniemy has this ability to kind of tweak the culture in the right direction. I think this is going to really help us out this year. It’s awesome. He knows how much I’m ready to run through a wall for him this year.”

Those comments highlight the level of respect Bieniemy continues to command inside the Chiefs’ locker room. Few assistants have been more closely associated with Kansas City’s rise to NFL dominance over the past decade.

Eric Bieniemy’s return could be exactly what Kansas City needed

Eric Bieniemy played a crucial role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning teams in the 2019 and 2022 seasons while serving as offensive coordinator under Andy Reid. Despite his success, the longtime assistant never received the head coaching opportunity many expected.

After leaving Kansas City, Bieniemy attempted to build his résumé elsewhere. He spent time with the Washington Commanders and later joined UCLA, but neither stop produced the breakthrough he was seeking. His career revival began last season as running backs coach for the Chicago Bears under Ben Johnson, a role that helped restore his reputation around the league.

That success ultimately convinced Reid to bring him back to Kansas City. Now, the Chiefs are hoping that the coach who helped build one of football’s most explosive offenses can once again help elevate the team to championship level.

Can the Chiefs win the Super Bowl?

It’s possible. The Chiefs’ confidence is understandable given the amount of star power on the roster. Patrick Mahomes remains the face of the franchise and one of the league’s premier quarterbacks, while Kelce continues to be a focal point of the passing attack. The addition of Kenneth Walker III has also given the offense another dynamic weapon capable of creating explosive plays.

However, questions remain at wide receiver. Xavier Worthy is expected to take on a larger role after flashing his big-play potential, but uncertainty continues to surround Rashee Rice due to his ongoing legal issues. How those situations develop could have a significant impact on the offense’s overall ceiling.

Even so, Kelce clearly believes Bieniemy’s return could be the ingredient that brings everything together. If the veteran coach can once again maximize the talent around Mahomes, the Chiefs may find themselves right back in the Super Bowl conversation by the end of the season.

“We knew basically a day after our last game,” the General Manager revealed on The Pat McAfee Show. When many perhaps thought the answer was taking time to arrive, the No. 87 had evidently already made up his mind beforehand.

The roster has become a true powerhouse heading into what’s next. In fact, Kelce has already endorsed the Chiefs’ second-round pick R Mason Thomas, describing him as a “freak of nature.”

Improving on last season is imperative for Andy Reid and company. Missing the playoffs, combined with the serious injury to Patrick Mahomes, is something this team is eager to bounce back from as quickly as possible.

Can Kelce improve his 2025 stats?

During the 2025 NFL season, Travis Kelce managed to remain a focal point of the Kansas City offense, recording 76 receptions for 851 yards and 5 touchdowns. While these numbers secured him a spot as the 4th leading tight end in receiving yards, they also signaled a shift in his role toward a high-efficiency possession receiver rather than the deep threat of his prime.

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Kelce faces the uphill battle of age, as he will be competing at 36 years old. Improving upon these stats will be difficult given the natural physical decline and the Chiefs’ need to rebuild following a disappointing 6-11 finish in 2025; however, his elite football IQ and his status as Patrick Mahomes‘ most trusted target mean he remains capable of elite production if he can stay healthy and the offensive line provides the necessary protection.

The anticipated return of Mahomes

Andy Reid is fully committed to Patrick Mahomes’ recovery, with the organization remaining confident that their star quarterback will be under center for Week 1. However, the Chiefs have bolstered their depth to ensure they are prepared for any scenario.

If Mahomes isn’t ready to go, the team might turn to veteran Justin Fields, who was acquired in a trade this past March. Additionally, the quarterback room now features rookie Garrett Nussmeier, selected in the seventh round of the 2026 Draft, alongside Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener, providing Reid with a versatile insurance policy while they await the MVP’s return.

During the latest episode of his podcast New Heights, Kelce said R Mason Thomas “is a f—king freak of nature in terms of athleticism and explosiveness.” Kelce also added that Thomas “is going to be a game-changer at the edge position.”

The Chiefs had 35 sacks last season, which ranked 25th in the NFL. Hence, having a guy like R Mason Thomas will be great for this team. He will line up opposite of George Karlaftis, and with Chris Jones in the middle. The defensive line is quite a threat now.

R Mason Thomas was an absolute menace in college

An Oklahoma product, Thomas did plenty of work during his last two years in the SEC. He racked up 22 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumbles recovered. He was the definition of a force to be reckoned with.

For a guy that stands at 6’2″, 241 lbs, Kelce is right to call Thomas an explosive guy. Thomas ran a 4.67-second 40-yard-dash. He also recorded a 1.63 10-yard split. His physical output is rarely seen for a guy his size. The upside is huge.

Chiefs D-line for 2026

Thomas is not the only new rookie on the roster. The Chiefs used a first-rounder on defensive tackle Peter Woods. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo runs a 4-3 scheme, although very flexible on it. This is how they could line up in 2026 in the front seven:

• George Karlaftis – Defensive End
• Chris Jones – Defensive Tackle
• Peter Woods – Defensive Tackle
• R Mason Thomas – Defensive End
• Drue Tranquill – Weak-side Linebacker
• Nick Bolton – Middle Linebacker
• Cole Christiansen – Strongside Linebacker