Taylor Swift helped Ed Sheeran discover his favorite NFL team—but when it comes to the Chiefs, she’s no longer showing the same support.
Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran have long shared a close friendship, one that has often crossed creative and personal boundaries. Whether it’s their musical collaborations or their mutual respect and admiration, the two global superstars have been connected by more than just chart-topping hits. Recently, that bond extended into the realm of American football—a world where fandoms are as passionate and loyal as the artists’ fanbases themselves. It turns out Taylor Swift played a surprising role in helping Ed Sheeran settle on his favorite NFL team. But in a plot twist that has caught the attention of both sports and music fans, Swift herself has been noticeably distant from the Kansas City Chiefs lately, a team she once passionately supported due to her high-profile relationship with tight end Travis Kelce.
Ed Sheeran, known for being a rather private figure when it comes to American sports, didn’t grow up immersed in the NFL. As a British native, his upbringing was filled more with soccer matches and cricket than Monday Night Football. But over time, as his global tours brought him to the U.S. more frequently and his friendships with American artists deepened, Sheeran began to take notice of American football’s cultural grip. His connection with Taylor Swift was instrumental in that evolution. Conversations between them often turned from studio sessions to sports talk, especially as Swift’s own public involvement with the NFL deepened.
When Taylor and Travis Kelce made headlines last season with their whirlwind romance, the Chiefs suddenly found themselves in the pop culture spotlight like never before. Swift was seen in VIP suites, cheering passionately, donning Chiefs gear, and becoming a central part of the NFL’s weekly broadcast storyline. Her presence was so prominent that the league itself capitalized on it, frequently spotlighting her during games, airing reaction shots, and even leaning into the Taylor-Travis narrative in their social media content. Swifties who had never watched a snap before suddenly knew Patrick Mahomes’ stats. The Chiefs weren’t just Super Bowl champions—they were the center of a cultural moment.
Amid that buzz, Sheeran began to observe the spectacle with growing interest. Taylor, fully immersed in the NFL world, began offering commentary on the nuances of the sport, the drama of the playoffs, and the players who stood out. Whether in casual hangouts or long phone calls during tour breaks, she helped Sheeran understand not just the rules of the game but the personalities and stories that made the league tick. She walked him through the rivalries, the Cinderella stories, and the iconic moments that made football an American institution. It was during these exchanges that Sheeran reportedly found his way to a favorite team. Though he has yet to publicly declare allegiance in a grand way, sources close to the singer say he’s grown fond of the Jacksonville Jaguars—a franchise with an underdog narrative and an energetic young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. It’s a team far from the spotlight-dominating Chiefs, but perhaps that suits Sheeran’s own understated public persona.
What makes the story even more intriguing is that while Sheeran’s NFL fandom was blossoming thanks to Swift’s encouragement, she herself was quietly stepping back from the Chiefs scene. During the early months of her relationship with Kelce, she was a fixture in the stands, becoming almost a mascot for the team. Fans embraced her, broadcasters praised her, and the Chiefs themselves leaned into the spotlight. But as months passed, and particularly as the NFL season came to an end, Swift’s presence began to fade. Her public appearances at games decreased, her social media remained quiet on Chiefs-related content, and even Travis Kelce began to reference her less in interviews.
This shift sparked plenty of speculation. Some wondered if the relationship had cooled. Others suggested that the media frenzy had become overwhelming for Swift, who has always had a complicated relationship with overexposure. There were also theories that her commitments to the Eras Tour and the recording of new music required her to step away from the NFL stage, both literally and figuratively. But for a fan base that had grown accustomed to seeing Swift in a red and white jersey, the silence was deafening.
Adding to the complexity is the sense that Swift didn’t just step back from attending Chiefs games—she appeared to emotionally detach from the team altogether. While she never officially declared herself a Chiefs fan, her behavior during the 2023-2024 season had made it abundantly clear where her loyalties lay. Her sudden absence raised eyebrows, especially when she appeared at other non-football events during key playoff moments. Chiefs fans who had once embraced her began to question her commitment, while sports commentators debated whether her involvement had been more spectacle than sincere.
This isn’t the first time Swift’s involvement in sports has made headlines. She has long used major events to make powerful appearances or symbolic statements, whether performing at the Super Bowl pregame shows or aligning herself with major athletes in music videos and public friendships. But the Chiefs saga was different. It wasn’t just about a song or a single event—it was a season-long storyline, a true intertwining of pop culture and sports in a way that felt both authentic and strategic.
Now, with the NFL offseason in full swing and teams preparing for training camp, questions still linger. Will Swift return to the Chiefs sidelines when the season kicks off in September? Will she once again be spotted cheering alongside Brittany Mahomes, or will her focus shift entirely back to music, tour life, and personal pursuits? And perhaps more significantly, how will Travis Kelce, who has basked in both the love and scrutiny brought on by dating Swift, navigate the coming season with her potentially out of the picture?
For Ed Sheeran, the story has a different tone. He continues to quietly explore the NFL world, now equipped with a better understanding thanks to Swift’s guidance. It’s a friendship that continues to bear fruit in unexpected ways—from chart hits to football allegiances. His fandom, untainted by the weight of romance or public speculation, seems likely to grow at its own pace, organically and authentically.
In a way, the contrasting paths of Sheeran and Swift in the NFL world reflect their broader public identities. Sheeran is the quiet observer, absorbing culture and drawing inspiration from his surroundings without needing to dominate the spotlight. Swift, on the other hand, is a cultural force—capable of reshaping narratives, shifting attention, and creating waves with her every move. Her stepping back from the Chiefs, whether temporary or permanent, has real implications. It shows how even something as deeply ingrained as NFL fandom can be influenced by celebrity presence and absence.
The intersection of sports and pop culture has always existed, but rarely has it played out with such intensity and personal stakes. Taylor Swift didn’t just cheer for a team—she helped redefine what NFL fandom could look like in a streaming era, where music fans become football fans, and players become part of the entertainment ecosystem. Her departure from that stage, for now, leaves a void, one that Chiefs fans and NFL executives alike are undoubtedly noticing.
Whether she eventually returns to Arrowhead Stadium, reclaims her place in the luxury box, and resumes her role as an unofficial ambassador for the Chiefs remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that even as she steps back, her impact on the NFL—and on friends like Ed Sheeran discovering the league for the first time—remains undeniable. For a brief moment, she was the bridge between pop stardom and pigskin glory, helping one friend find a team and a legion of new fans find the game. And even if she’s not wearing red anymore, the echoes of her presence still ring loud through the NFL universe.
