Backstage at a luxury photo shoot in Manhattan, the set was humming. Stylists adjusted lights. Assistants fetched matcha lattes. And there, casually perched on the hood of a vintage Chevrolet Chevelle SS, was a tight end with three Super Bowl rings and a look straight off a “Folklore” vinyl sleeve. No shoulder pads. No cleats. Just a slouchy white cardigan, camo tote in hand, and the kind of sunglasses that scream ‘unbothered.’

For most NFL stars, a soft-focus fashion moment would’ve been enough to set Instagram on fire. But Travis Kelce is not most players—and when your girlfriend is the most famous pop star on the planet, the stakes are always higher. Especially when your outfit looks like it fell out of her 2020 merch drop. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce may be enjoying his off-season, but some fans are clearly not enjoying his latest wardrobe choice.

The All-Pro pass-catcher recently turned heads—and sparked debate—after donning an outfit widely interpreted as a homage to girlfriend Taylor Swift’s Folklore era. Kelce, 35, was spotted in New York City wearing a white, open-front cardigan featuring prominent piping around the collar and hem, paired with white trousers, trainers, and a camouflage tote bag. With his long hair slicked back and dark sunglasses on, the look was polished and deliberately styled—almost editorial.

It didn’t take long for Swifties and football fans alike to make the connection. The look bore a striking resemblance to Taylor Swift’s now-iconic Folklore cardigan, released alongside her 2020 surprise album of the same name. That sweater—white with gray accents, a “folklore album” patch, and stars stitched on the sleeve—became a cultural moment. Swift even gifted the $49 cardigan to friends and select fans when it dropped, including Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Natalia, who proudly posted hers online.

While Kelce’s version had no buttons and a slightly altered design, the similarities were enough to ignite social media chatter. In the shoot, Kelce was even pictured lounging atop a vintage Chevrolet Chevelle SS—sending his “man-of-the-moment” vibes into overdrive. With Taylor keeping a relatively low profile lately, her boyfriend has clearly stepped into the fashion spotlight.

And while Chiefs fans loved the callback, not everyone was impressed.

Fans troll Travis Kelce for copy-cardigan

In the world of NFL social media, criticism never takes a vacation. While Kelce’s fashion-forward look drew praise from some, others voiced disappointment—especially with Kansas City still reeling from its shocking Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles. Many fans demanded that Kelce focus more on football and ‘revenge season,’ rather than off-field flair. One critic posted, “He reminds me of the girls who take on the persona of whatever guy she dates.”

Another jabbed at his appearance, writing, “She turned him into an unseasoned, bland, boring, boiled piece of chicken breast 😂.” Concerns even crept into ageist territory. Some fans commented that Kelce didn’t look as sharp or as athletic as usual. “He’s already not aging well,” one wrote. “He looks different… and not in a good way,” another added.

Of course, the TE has endured worse. After all, this is the same Kelce who publicly toyed with retirement earlier this year before confirming he’d return for at least one more NFL season. But with each public appearance, fans are watching more closely—some even connecting dots that don’t exist. When Kelce recently unfollowed Ryan Reynolds on Instagram, speculation about drama between Swift and her inner circle lit up the internet.

Still, not all feedback was negative. Many Swifties expressed joy at the subtle tribute and longed for more sightings of the couple together. With Taylor laying low post- Eras Tour stretch and Travis back in offseason workouts, the public hasn’t seen much of the pair lately. But if Kelce’s cardigan moment is anything to go by, absence doesn’t mean they’ve stopped making headlines.