Browns Ex-Coach Blames Travis Kelce’s “New Romance” with Taylor Swift for Slump—But Chiefs Fans Fire Back with a Reminder That Should Embarrass Cleveland

A new round of NFL drama has erupted—and this time, it’s not just about yards and touchdowns, but love, loyalty, and what it really means to be a champion. Former Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini has stirred up controversy after pinning Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s lackluster 2024 season on what he calls “offseason distractions”—namely, Kelce’s whirlwind romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift.

On the sports chat show Breakfast Ball, Mangini didn’t hold back: “When you look at his offseason last year, it was filled with everything but football,” he declared. “He’s got the budding romance, he’s on tour, he’s traveling overseas, all that stuff, which is great. Then he’s got the TV show. So, he films the TV show. Good with that, too. Then he’s got the podcast. So, he’s got so many things in a shortened season. You’re hoping the guys are going to get away from football and decompress, but not get away from football and 50 other things… I’m not angry at him taking advantage of opportunities, but I do think it put him a little bit behind the eight-ball going into the season.”

It’s no secret: Travis Kelce’s numbers last season were far from his usual standard. The ten-time Pro Bowler recorded just 823 yards and three receiving touchdowns, a sharp drop from the double-digit scoring and 1,000+ yard campaigns that had become routine for the Chiefs’ superstar. As rumors swirled about his future, some even speculated Kelce might be eyeing retirement.

But while Mangini’s critique may sound plausible to some, Chiefs fans are having none of it. In a fiery social media backlash, Kansas City’s faithful rushed to defend their tight end—and turned the spotlight back on Cleveland’s own history of mediocrity.

“Maybe Mangini should worry about what’s happened in Cleveland since he left,” one Chiefs supporter wrote, racking up thousands of likes. Another fan quipped, “Funny how a team that’s never seen a Super Bowl win is telling a future Hall-of-Famer how to live his life.”

Others pointed out that, despite his off-field commitments, Kelce never abandoned his commitment to the team. “You can date who you want and still win,” one viral post read. “Look at all the guys who can’t handle the pressure. Travis Kelce has always shown up when it matters.”

Chiefs fans also reminded Mangini and his critics that the Browns, even in their best seasons, have struggled to find a tight end with even half the impact or legacy of Kelce. “Imagine blaming Taylor Swift for Travis having a down year. Newsflash: Browns would kill for a ‘down year’ like Kelce’s,” a popular Kansas City radio host joked on air.

As for Kelce himself, the star has addressed both his performance and future head-on. At the Chiefs’ minicamp last month, he was resolute: “The Chiefs organization knows how much I love them. I can’t see myself ever playing anywhere else, so we will deal with that down the road when the time is right. But right now, I am focused on winning the championship this year.”

With the Chiefs set to kick off their 2025 season against the Arizona Cardinals on August 10, all eyes will be on Kelce. Will offseason drama fuel his fire, or is this the beginning of a graceful exit? If Chiefs fans have anything to say about it, the only embarrassment will be on those who dared doubt a legend.

In Kansas City, one thing is certain: love stories may dominate the headlines, but football—and loyalty—win in the end.