DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos can erase nearly a decade of frustration and futility by beating a Kansas City Chiefs team that will be resting Patrick Mahomes and several other starters Sunday.

With the Chiefs (15-1) having secured the AFC’s top seed and lone playoff bye, coach Andy Reid decided an extended break — up to 24 days — could go a long way toward helping Kansas City in its quest for an unparalleled three-peat as Super Bowl champs.

Reid is starting backup QB Carson Wentz, who’s hoping to follow in Sam Darnold’s footsteps and parlay a year as a backup into another opportunity to start somewhere in 2025.

“I want to play well and have success out there and ultimately, more than anything, get a win,” said Wentz, who has started 68 NFL games, mostly with the Eagles, where he went 11-2 in 2017 before a knee injury derailed his career.

Wedding Bells : Travis Kelce’s friend makes a major revelation on Kelce’s marriage with Taylor Swift this year, here’s what he said

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have become one of the most talked-about couples in sports and pop culture.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in the frame

Highlights:

Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback and Pro Bowler Adam “Pacman” Jones recently shared his thoughts on the couple’s future.

Kelce and Swift’s relationship, which began 18 months ago, has been far from private.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have become one of the most talked-about couples in sports and pop culture. Their whirlwind romance has captured the attention of fans and media alike, with every move they make becoming a headline. Now, an NFL legend has hinted that this power couple may be ready to take their relationship to the next level with marriage and children.

Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback and Pro Bowler Adam Jones recently shared his thoughts on the couple’s future in an interview with the US Mirror. Jones, who knows Kelce well from their time in Cincinnati, speculated that the Kansas City Chiefs star and global pop sensation Taylor Swift could be ready to marry either this year or soon after the NFL season wraps up.

“I’m thinking this year they are going to get married or after football,” Jones predicted. He went on to explain his belief that not only will they tie the knot, but they might even have children together. “Of course, they are going to be together. They’ve got enough money to take each other’s money. But I do see love there. So I do see a baby and everything.”

A Relationship That’s Anything But Low-Key

Kelce and Swift’s relationship, which began 18 months ago, has been far from private. From globe-trotting adventures to attending high-profile events together, the couple has seamlessly blended the worlds of NFL and pop culture. Despite early doubts and rumors that their romance was a publicity stunt, Jones believes their connection is the real deal.

“I think they are in a real relationship,” he said, highlighting his familiarity with Kelce, whom he knew from his time in Cincinnati, where Kelce attended the University of Cincinnati and Jones played for the Bengals.

“His love [is genuine]. When he says he is with somebody, he is with somebody,” Jones added, affirming that the couple’s relationship is sincere.

Taylor Swift Represents Something “More” for Travis Kelce

Jones also weighed in on how Taylor Swift compares to Kelce’s previous relationships, particularly his five-year, on-again, off-again romance with model and influencer Kayla Nicole, which ended in 2023.

“With the other young lady he was with, he was with her, and he found something better and moved on. But I believe Travis a hundred percent,” Jones shared. “I think Taylor is something more significant in his life, something more lasting.”

Speculation Around Engagement Grows

As the couple’s relationship continues to evolve, the possibility of an engagement has been a hot topic for fans and insiders. Speculation surged over the holidays, especially when Swift, fresh off her record-breaking Eras Tour, returned to Kansas City to celebrate with Kelce.

Fans, known as Swifties, examined every detail of their time together, even claiming that a ring had been edited out of a photo from an Eras Tour-themed party Kelce threw in Swift’s honor. Though they did not spend Christmas together due to Kelce’s game in Pittsburgh, reports suggest they rang in the New Year in Kansas City, sharing a romantic midnight kiss.

Travis Kelce’s NFL Career and Future Plans

As Kelce, 35, nears the twilight of his NFL career, reports have surfaced indicating that he has been considering retirement. With such a milestone on the horizon, fans are eagerly speculating whether a marriage proposal could come soon, adding another layer of excitement to the couple’s already high-profile relationship.

While only time will tell if Kelce and Swift are truly ready for marriage and children, it’s clear that the couple is not just a media sensation but a genuine love story in the making.