Travis Kelce sends Mike Tomlin and the Steelers a message: “I think the Browns and Chiefs are definitely neck and neck.”

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Getty

… made clear who the top team in the AFC-North is


Travis Kelce is arguably the best tight end in the NFL, and he is a member of the team that has been the class of the AFC the past three years. 


Last year, the Chiefs edged past the Cleveland Browns, 22-17, to earn their second Super Bowl berth in the past two years. 


And, what is surprising, Kelce believes that the Chiefs and Browns will be two of the top AFC teams — giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a warning that they may be on the way on in the AFC-North. 


Kelce a Cleveland native


As a person who grew up in Cleveland and rooted for the Browns most of his life, Kelce returned there and joined the Browns players at the Jarvis Landry celebrity softball tournament in mid-June. 


The Browns fans are excited for a chance at their first Super Bowl after going 12-6 last year, including a victory over the Steelers and a great battle with the Chiefs. 


Kelce thinks that the fans are right,


“They’re definitely a contender, without a doubt,” Chiefs All-Pro tight end and Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce said of the Browns. “It’s definitely there. Baker [Mayfield] and the gang have upped the ante, made this team an unbelievable team and a team you have to prepare for and take serious. 


“I think that moving forward without a doubt, I can see a lot more playoff games between us, and I’ll just take it one day at a time and hope for it. I think the Browns and Chiefs are definitely neck and neck.”


Nate Ulrich, “Should Browns fans be talking Super Bowl? Jarvis Landry

 says, 'Why not?’ ” Akron Beacon Journal, June 12, 2021


Revamping the defense this offseason


One of the areas that the Browns have improved this offseason has been on the defensive side of the ball, Kelce said,


Kelce said he paid attention to Browns General Manager Andrew Berry revamping Cleveland's defense this offseason. Kelce called rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah “a big steal” in the second round of this year's NFL Draft.


Kelce noted Mayfield's leadership on offense and All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett's knack for setting the tone on the other side of the ball.


“It’s impressive to see where they’ve come from and where they are now because it’s a legit contender,” Kelce said, “and every team’s going to have to bring it.”


Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal, June 12, 2021


Browns no longer laughingstocks


While the Browns fell to the Steelers during the regular season, the playoff game between the two teams was an embarrassment for Pittsburgh. It was 28-0 at the end of the first quarter, and quarterback extraordinaire Ben Roethlisberger solidified his Hall of Fame credentials with four interceptions. 


With an entirely new offensive line this year, those credentials may suffer again, and the Browns will be the pick of most people to win the division this year, with the Ravens arguably the second place pick,


After many years of being laughingstocks of the league, the Browns are now making other teams take notice.


“It’s impressive to see where they’ve come from and where they are now because it’s a legit contender,” Kelce said, “and every team’s going to have to bring it.”


Michael David Smith, “Travis Kelce: Browns are contenders, neck and neck 

with the Chiefs in the AFC,” Pro Football Talk, June 13, 2021


Are you listening, Mike Tomlin?


“Of course not. I win 65 percent of my regular-season games and never had a losing season.”


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