ATLANTA – The Kansas City Chiefs have a new talking point: Where’s Taylor Swift?

The NFL is buzzing over the excitement surrounding the global pop star and her massive fanbase, especially as she dates one of the NFL’s top tight ends. Clips of Swift cheering for her partner from a private box, laughing with Brittany Mahomes, and celebrating big plays are quite charming.

But for the true football enthusiasts, there’s a pressing concern regarding the back-to-back Super Bowl champions: What’s going on with Travis Kelce?

Take a breath, everyone. Although Kelce’s performance has been modest during the Chiefs’ undefeated start, there’s no reason to panic; it’s hardly a crisis for their three-peat aspirations—at least not yet.

Fantasy football players might feel differently. So far this season, Kelce has made just eight receptions for 69 yards and is still searching for his first touchdown.

In Sunday night’s close 22-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons, Kelce was targeted five times by his playmaker, Patrick Mahomes, and caught four passes for 30 yards. This output is well below the usual numbers we anticipate from the 34-year-old, who achieved an average of 100 receptions and 52 touchdowns in his last six seasons.

During a crucial third-and-2 in the fourth quarter, Mahomes aimed for Kelce in the middle, but Jessie Bates III, a top NFL safety, managed to knock the ball loose from Kelce. The pass was incomplete.

Still, there’s no need for alarm.

“Just living the dream, bro,” Kelce replied when approached in the locker room afterward.

However, a rather zealous Chiefs security guard rushed Kelce out the door, preventing him from addressing the media after the game. Since Kelce’s fame has soared, thanks to his romance with Swift, he’s often avoided post-game interviews.

It’s unfortunate because Kelce has consistently provided thoughtful insights, whether through his podcast or otherwise.

In any case, Mahomes provided a simple explanation about Kelce’s situation.

“It’s wild,” Mahomes said. “Teams still the respect they have for Travis is outstanding. He deserves it.”

“We’re designing many plays around Travis. Often, it feels like two or three defenders are focused on him. He gets it. That’s what’s great about him; he wants to contribute to winning.”

Even though Kelce’s stats might not satisfy fantasy football owners, his importance in the game remains undeniable. On Sunday night, he participated in 54 of the Chiefs’ 74 offensive plays (77%), which is only second to Mahomes and the starting offensive linemen who played every snap. While some judge his worth by receiving stats, Kelce’s true value lies in his complete skill set, contributing significantly as a blocker in the running game.

Trust that the catches will increase. Remember last season when Kelce missed the first game yet managed 17 catches over his next three outings, without scoring any touchdowns in the last six regular-season games. However, in the playoffs, he delivered four standout performances—highlighted by an 11-catch, 116-yard game against Baltimore in the AFC championship with a touchdown catch—that were vital for the Chiefs’ repeat championship run.

So hang tight! The Chiefs’ passing attack is also benefiting from the rise of second-year receiver Rashee Rice (who achieved his second 100-yard game of the season on Sunday and has scored touchdowns in the last two games) while rookie Xavier Worthy is demonstrating potential. Yet Kelce remains a significant threat.

“I’ll keep trying to get him the ball when I can, but the more Rashee makes plays and we can effectively run the ball, which lets us involve Worthy, will open things up for Travis,” Mahomes explained. “Defensive teams are focusing hard on him, allowing other players to get open.”

It seems the Chiefs, who are finding their rhythm while continuing to win, have a “problem” with Kelce’s modest statistics that most teams would envy.

Even Taylor Swift’s fans can appreciate that.