The Kansas City Chiefs’ final preseason game against the Chicago Bears had a little bit of everything: a dominant first quarter from Patrick Mahomes, a shocking late-game collapse, and Travis Kelce breaking into a dance that lit up social media with a nod to Taylor Swift.

The reigning Super Bowl champions looked sharp early, building a commanding 20–3 lead with Mahomes in near midseason form. In just over a quarter of action, the two-time MVP completed 8 of 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown, including a 58-yard strike to Taekwon Thornton and a short scoring toss to Rasi Rice. Isaiah Pacheco added a rushing score, and the Chiefs’ starting defense held Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in check until late in the second quarter.

But while the opening half belonged to Kansas City, the fourth quarter told a different story. Behind backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, the Bears stormed back, outscoring the Chiefs 19–0 in the final frame to seal a dramatic 29–27 victory.

Andy Reid Stays Positive Despite Collapse

After the game, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid struck a measured tone. He praised the performance of the starters while acknowledging the need to finish stronger.

“I thought the ones on both sides of the ball did well,” Reid said. “We got everybody some reps, which was important. Some of these young guys have been busting their tail all camp, and they got good experience tonight. Obviously, we need to finish the game better, but overall, it was a smooth operation.”

Reid was quick to highlight positives, from Harrison Butker’s perfect night on field goals to the defense’s early dominance. He also stressed that no significant injuries occurred, calling that “a good thing” as the Chiefs prepare for their regular season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo in two weeks.

Travis Kelce Dances To “Shake It Off”

Even in defeat, it was Travis Kelce who stole headlines. Before kickoff, the 35-year-old tight end danced in the middle of a circle of teammates under the lights at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs’ social media team posted the clip with the caption: “Shake it off, Trav,” a playful nod to Taylor Swift’s 2014 hit single.

Fans immediately recognized the reference as a tribute to Kelce’s relationship with Swift, who famously appeared at Arrowhead last season to cheer him on. The moment quickly went viral, with Swifty fan accounts flooding Instagram and Twitter.

“This man literally performed live on the Eras Tour and now he’s bringing it back to Arrowhead,” one fan wrote. Another commented, “Chiefs social team, you’re doing amazing, sweetie.”

Kelce’s lighthearted warm-up was a reminder of how his relationship with Swift has brought unprecedented attention to both him and the NFL, blending pop culture with football in a way few could have predicted.

Mahomes, Jones Recall Taylor Swift’s First Game

Kelce’s nod to Swift also tied back to one of last season’s most talked-about moments. In ESPN’s new The Kingdom docuseries, Mahomes and defensive star Chris Jones recalled the buzz when Swift first attended a Chiefs game in September 2023.

“We were in the locker room like, ‘Taylor Swift’s here? Taylor Swift’s for real with Travis?’” Jones said, laughing at the memory.

Mahomes admitted Kelce had given him a heads-up but confessed he didn’t quite believe it until he saw her in the stands. “You definitely felt the buzz,” Mahomes said. “The whole stadium gravitated toward where she was sitting. But at the same time, we had business to handle.”

The Game That Got Away

On the field, the Chiefs looked dominant with their starters. They racked up nearly 200 yards in the first quarter alone, and Mahomes was sharp, spreading the ball around to receivers and showing confidence in a retooled offensive line.

But when the backups entered, the Bears took control. Bagent, a former Division II standout turned unlikely NFL success story, completed 20 of 28 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning strike to Jotty Walker with just three seconds left.

For Reid, the comeback was a teaching moment. “The young guys got a taste of what it means to finish,” he said. “That’s valuable for us.”

Looking Ahead

The loss drops the Chiefs to 0–3 in the preseason, but Reid brushed aside concerns, pointing to the sharpness of the starters and the progress made in camp. “It’s preseason,” he reminded reporters. “The real thing starts in two weeks.”

And with Mahomes in top form, Kelce showing he’s as loose as ever, and the defending champions healthy, Kansas City will enter Week 1 against the Chargers with confidence.

For Chiefs Kingdom, the final score may sting, but the night will be remembered less for the collapse and more for the moment their superstar tight end danced to his girlfriend’s iconic anthem.

Because in Kansas City, sometimes even preseason losses come with a little bit of Taylor Swift magic.