Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs’ standout tight end, has scored his first touchdown of the season in a key matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Connecting with quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Allegiant Stadium, Kelce’s third-and-goal reception in the second quarter helped regain the Chiefs’ lead in their divisional showdown. Ironically, Kelce’s score on “National Tight Ends Day” also marked the 75th touchdown of his regular season career, placing him in an elite category among NFL tight ends.
Kelce moves up the ranks for all-time tight end touchdowns
With this latest touchdown, Kelce moved up to fifth place for career touchdowns by a tight end, surpassing Jason Witten. However, he still trails fourth-place Jimmy Graham by 14 touchdowns, and the all-time leader, Antonio Gates, who holds the record at 116. Counting postseason catches, Kelce’s total now stands at 94, tying him with Graham for fourth all-time in NFL history.
Taylor Swift’s absence as Kelce breaks his season-long touchdown drought
Notably, Kelce’s touchdown came without his high-profile girlfriend, Taylor Swift, in attendance, as she was performing on her Eras Tour in New Orleans. It marked the second week Swift wasn’t able to watch from the stands, as her tour entered its final leg. Kelce’s performance dipped last week during Swift’s tour stop in Miami, where he struggled in the Chiefs’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Critics connect Kelce’s slow start to whirlwind offseason
Analysts and fans had speculated that Kelce’s unusually slow start might be due to a busy offseason and his very public romance with Swift. He faced early-season criticism for just eight receptions over three games as the Chiefs aim for a Super Bowl three-peat. Some speculated that his high-profile relationship might have affected his focus on the field.
Kelce and Swift spotted on frequent NYC outings, support each other’s careers
Despite the critiques, the nine-time Pro Bowler has since bounced back, with six catches for 56 yards and this latest touchdown. Off the field, Kelce and Swift have continued their frequent New York outings, including a recent double date with friends Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. The couple has been spotted supporting each other’s interests, attending various sporting events like the US Open and Yankees playoff games.
Swift’s reported decision to skip the Chiefs’ game against the Chargers last month was seen as an effort to shift media attention away from Kelce. Despite the pressures, Kelce’s touchdown performance against the Raiders demonstrates his ability to silence critics and step up for his team.
