Travis Kelce became a ‘different man’ when he and Taylor Swift started dating: Chiefs coach

Dave Merritt, the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, said that Travis Kelce changed for the better when he started dating Taylor Swift.

“She actually affected the team in a positive way. It wasn’t a negative way. Everybody was excited and Travis was happy,” Merritt, 52, said of the singer on Wednesday’s episode of “The Sports Shop Podcast with Reese & K-Mac.”

The NFL coach continued, “So when my player, a brother, is happy beside me, that helps me and that encourages me and so Travis came in there a different man. So, she helped us.”

5

5

Merritt said that he believed the “Cruel Summer” singer’s presence “added” to what the Chiefs were trying to accomplish.

“There were so many people that were hating the fact that she was being shown on the TV that, you know what? You’re part of our family because you’re now with Travis,” he said. “So, therefore, you’re our little sister…You’re part of our family.”

---

For more Page Six you love...

• Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast
• Shop our exclusive merch

---

Merritt added that Swift had started coming around to the stadiums “privately” before the news of their relationship came out.

“She was coming into the stadiums without people really knowing until the camera put a big spotlight on it,” Merritt said.

5

5

He then joked of the pop star, “She won a Super Bowl in her first year in the NFL,” referring to the Chief’s 2024 Super Bowl victory against the San Francisco 49ers earlier this month.

Swift, 34, and the tight end, also 34, started secretly dating last summer, but they didn’t confirm their relationship until September 2023 when the “Anti-Hero” artist attended his Game against the Chicago Bears.

Swift showed up to a number of her boyfriend’s games throughout the season and even made out with him on the field after his winning AFC Championship game last month.

5

They again showed PDA on the field after Kelce earned his third Super Bowl ring on Feb. 11.

Kelce has also cheered on his girlfriend’s musical career, attending her Eras Tour concerts in Australia last week and in Argentina last November.

A source told Page Six that the couple is planning to get engaged this summer.