With the Kansas City Chiefs officially eliminated from playoff contention, longtime fan Caitlin Clark has found herself in an unfamiliar position this January: searching for a new NFL team to support.
The Indiana Fever superstar, who has never hidden her loyalty to the Chiefs, addressed that reality this week while appearing on the popular New Heights podcast alongside brothers Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce.
During the conversation, Clark was asked where her postseason allegiance would land now that Kansas City is watching from home.
Her answer was candid and delivered with the same confidence that defines her on the basketball court.
“Honestly, I’m a Drake Maye fan; I think he’s been incredible,” Clark said. “I’ll probably be pulling for the Patriots, but I think the Rams are good, too.”
Her comments immediately reframed her playoff interest around players rather than long-standing team loyalty.
Clark also made a point to mention Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, describing him as “a good guy” she could easily support during the postseason run.
However, when Travis suggested she could root for almost anyone left in the playoff field, Clark drew a clear line. Her response was brief, emphatic, and instantly memorable.
“There’s some I can’t root for, come on,” she said. “I hate the [Buffalo] Bills, ugh,” Clark said.
Patriots surge makes Clark’s pick easy
While Caitlin Clark‘s blunt dismissal of the Buffalo Bills generated laughs, her gravitation toward the New England Patriots reflects a broader narrative unfolding across the league.
Under head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have authored one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the season.
Just one year removed from a 4-13 finish and the bottom of the AFC East, New England has completely rewritten expectations.
The Patriots now sit atop the division as AFC East champions and are tied for the league’s best record at 13-3, an achievement few predicted entering the year.
At the center of that resurgence is 23-year-old quarterback Maye.
His rapid development, command of the offense, and ability to deliver in high-leverage moments have transformed the Patriots from a rebuilding franchise into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
For neutral fans suddenly in search of a postseason favorite, New England has become an increasingly popular bandwagon.
Maye quality resonates with Clark
For Clark, the appeal is straightforward. As an athlete who understands the weight placed on young stars to change a franchise’s trajectory, she sees familiar traits in Maye.
His poise under pressure and steady progression mirror the qualities that made Clark a generational figure in women’s basketball.
Her acknowledgment of the Los Angeles Rams also reflects respect for experience and balance, but the enthusiasm in her voice when discussing Maye was unmistakable.
In a postseason field filled with elite rosters and established contenders, the Patriots‘ blend of youth, momentum, and disciplined coaching stands out.
Though her heart remains with the Chiefs, Clark‘s playoff pivot offers a revealing snapshot of how compelling storylines can reshape fan allegiances.
One sentence was all it took for her to make her feelings about the Bills clear, showing her affection for the Chiefs burns strong – even if she gets behind the Patriots in the playoffs.
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