Travis Kelce Sidesteps Media After Chiefs' Narrow Loss to Broncos

Travis Kelce walked past reporters in the locker room, his silence echoing the disappointment of the Kansas City Chiefs' latest loss. The Chiefs fell to the Denver Broncos 22-19 on November 16, a game that saw Kelce, 36, etch his name into franchise history with a record-setting touchdown reception.

Despite the personal achievement, Kelce was not inclined to celebrate. “If you’re going to ask me about the record, I could care less about that right now,” he stated, as reported by sources close to the team.

The game took place at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, where Kelce's fiancée, Taylor Swift, was notably absent from the stands. The loss dropped Kansas City to a 5-5 record, placing them three games behind the division-leading Broncos in the loss column and leaving them outside the AFC playoff picture.

Since 2014, the Chiefs have not missed the playoffs, a streak that began during Kelce’s first full season in the NFL. Following this defeat, ESPN’s Power Football Index now estimates a 44.6 percent chance that Kansas City could miss the postseason this year.

While Kelce opted for silence, quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced the media and took responsibility for the team's struggles. “I think we’re really talented and we’ve got a lot of great players, but it’s about being more consistent. I think it starts with me,” Mahomes, 30, explained. He acknowledged moments of offensive fluidity but also recognized periods of inconsistency that hindered their performance.

Mahomes completed 29 of 45 passes, throwing for one touchdown and one interception. His fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Kelce marked the 84th of his career, surpassing Chiefs legend Priest Holmes for the most in team history. However, Mahomes admitted to an off day, recalling a missed opportunity on a deep throw to wide receiver Xavier Worthy during their opening drive.

“I’ve just got to make the throw,” he said. “The play was designed for Travis — and I think Travis is wide open — but you have these alerts in your plays.” He reflected on how defensive adjustments affected his decision-making during critical moments.

With the Broncos leading the AFC West, Mahomes recognized the uphill battle ahead. “It’s going to be tough to get back in the division race,” he noted. The Chiefs are set to host the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts (8-2) on November 23, and Mahomes emphasized the urgency of their situation.

“The goal is to get into the playoffs and try to make a run at it,” he said. “We’ve got to learn from this one as much as possible.” The pressure mounts as they prepare for a formidable opponent at Arrowhead Stadium next week.