He’s a Super Bowl champion, a media darling, and one-half of one of the most talked-about celebrity couples in the world. But behind the spotlight, Travis Kelce may be facing something far less glamorous: a silent wall of resentment from within the NFL itself.

Multiple reports are now suggesting that the Kansas City Chiefs star has been quietly “iced out” by some fellow players—many of whom feel Kelce’s high-profile relationship with global superstar Taylor Swift has changed the dynamic in the locker room and beyond.

While no one is saying it out loud on record, whispers within league circles are growing louder. According to insiders, several veteran players have begun distancing themselves from Kelce, claiming that his growing celebrity status—and the media circus that follows him—has created unnecessary distractions both on and off the field.

“It’s not about Taylor personally,” said one anonymous source close to several NFL players. “It’s about the way Travis is being treated like he’s bigger than the team, bigger than the game. That’s rubbing a lot of guys the wrong way.”

Some players reportedly feel that the NFL itself has been capitalizing on the “Kelce + Swift” phenomenon—frequently featuring Taylor in game-day promos, crowd shots, and even NFL social media campaigns. For traditionalists, this blending of pop culture and professional sports is crossing a line.

“It’s starting to feel less like football and more like entertainment TV,” another insider noted. “And not everyone signed up for that.”

What’s more, Kelce’s ever-expanding off-field ventures—from hosting Saturday Night Live to appearing in films and commercials—have only fueled the perception that his focus might be drifting. Combine that with his very public romance and whirlwind schedule, and some teammates reportedly question whether he’s still “all in.”

Though Kelce has remained publicly gracious, sources say he’s privately aware of the shift in energy. “He knows some people are keeping their distance,” one friend shared. “But he’s not backing down from the life he’s built.”

Interestingly, the tension isn’t just with rivals—it may be happening inside his own team. While most of his Chiefs teammates have been supportive in public, there are murmurs of frustration behind closed doors about how often Travis’s off-field persona overshadows the team as a whole.

One particularly telling moment occurred after a late-season game last year, when several reporters were blocked from asking non-football questions in the locker room. “There was a clear attempt to shift focus back to the game,” a beat writer said. “It felt like a quiet response to all the Taylor noise.”

And then there’s the fan response. While many Swifties have flocked to the NFL for the first time thanks to Taylor’s connection, some hardcore football fans argue that the sport is being “used” as a PR platform, diluting its competitive spirit in favor of viral moments.

Still, others defend Kelce, saying he has every right to enjoy his success and personal life however he chooses. “He’s worked his whole life for this,” one fan tweeted. “Let the man have his moment. If others are jealous, that’s on them.”

As the NFL heads into a new season, all eyes will be on how this dynamic plays out. Will Kelce be embraced again as just one of the guys—or will his ever-growing fame keep creating quiet divides behind the scenes?

Whatever happens, one thing’s certain: being the most talked-about player in the league isn’t always a touchdown.