Travis Kelce is bracing for a storm of criticism that could come his way if the Kansas City Chiefs stumble during their season—especially when it comes to his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift. The 35-year-old Chiefs tight end and the 34-year-old pop sensation have captivated the NFL and pop culture worlds over the past year, with Swift making several high-profile appearances at his games, including the previous season’s Super Bowl.
While many fans have embraced the power couple’s romance, not everyone is thrilled with Swift’s frequent appearances in NFL stadiums. A segment of the fan base, dubbed the “dads, Brads, and Chads,” have taken issue with the extensive media coverage of Swift and the NFL’s focus on her during broadcasts. This has led to mixed reactions, with some feeling that the attention on their relationship has overshadowed the sport itself.
Kelce, aware of the growing scrutiny, expressed his concern during the latest episode of his New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. He warned that the backlash could intensify the moment the Chiefs, currently undefeated, suffer their first loss of the season.
“We’ve just got to keep winning,” Kelce remarked. “If we lose, it’s going to absolutely f***ing rain down, baby. Just got to keep winning and staying on top.”
The Chiefs’ success on the field has been a buffer against the criticism, but Kelce acknowledged that the moment the team falters, fingers might start pointing at his off-field life, particularly his relationship with Swift.
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Despite Kelce’s concerns, guest Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter and current media personality, reassured him that his relationship with Swift has been nothing but positive for the sport. McAfee, who joined the podcast episode, was quick to emphasize how Kelce and Swift’s romance has introduced the NFL to a wider audience.
“You and Taylor’s relationship is great for the sport,” McAfee said. “It’s getting introduced to so many new people. You are, and have been, the perfect representation for our sport. There’s no one else who could do what you’re doing right now, and you’re doing it incredibly well. All of us are proud of you.”
Kelce’s relationship with Swift has already faced intense scrutiny this season, particularly as the tight end struggled to find his rhythm in the early weeks of the NFL season. During the first three games, he managed just eight catches, prompting some to speculate that his busy offseason with Swift had impacted his on-field performance.
The couple’s action-packed summer, filled with international travel and glamorous events, seemed to raise questions about whether Kelce’s off-field activities were affecting his game. This narrative gained traction as Swift and Kelce were frequently spotted enjoying romantic nights out in New York City, including a high-profile double date with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. They’ve also been seen attending various sporting events together, from Yankees playoff games to the US Open men’s final, where they were photographed in a PDA-filled display.
The increased scrutiny reportedly even influenced Swift’s decision to skip the Chiefs’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers last month. According to reports, she wanted to avoid the media frenzy and take the spotlight off Kelce, who was dealing with early-season struggles.
However, Kelce has since bounced back in spectacular fashion, catching 16 passes for 159 yards over his last two games, helping the Chiefs improve to 5-0 heading into their bye week. His resurgence on the field has quieted some of the critics, at least for now.
This isn’t the first time the Kelce-Swift relationship has been blamed for a dip in the Chiefs’ performance. Last season, after the Las Vegas Raiders handed Kansas City a surprising Christmas Day loss, preventing the team from locking up a playoff spot, some analysts pointed the finger at Swift. Analyst Skip Bayless stirred controversy by tweeting, “Feels like it’s about time to call Taylor Swift a distraction. What do you think, Patrick? Andy? How about you, Travis?”
Clay Travis echoed those sentiments, tweeting, “The Chiefs are not a good football team and Travis Kelce looks like he should retire. He’s been worthless the last seven or eight weeks. The double worthless Pfizer shots may have caught up with him. Either that or Taylor Swift is the Chiefs Yoko Ono. Maybe both.”
Despite the noise, Kelce, head coach Andy Reid, and the rest of the Chiefs brushed off the criticism. They ultimately went on to win the Super Bowl, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Las Vegas, proving that the so-called distractions had little impact on their pursuit of greatness.
As the Chiefs continue their season, Kelce’s focus remains on maintaining their winning streak. But the tight end knows that the scrutiny surrounding his relationship with Swift won’t go away anytime soon, and that criticism may intensify with the team’s first loss.
Still, for now, Kelce is doing what he does best—winning games and handling the attention with grace, even if the “f***ing rain” comes pouring down later in the season.
