Who would you say are the Kansas City Chiefs' biggest rivals in the NFL right now? For me, one name springs to mind: the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chiefs and Bengals have battled it out in AFC Championship games, each ending the other’s season and trading trash talk along the way. They share a mutual respect, but at the same time, their players and fanbases seem to have a genuine dislike for each other, too.
There was the time Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said he was rooting for “anyone but the Chiefs” in a postseason race that included three of Cincinnati’s division rivals as well.
"Anybody but the Chiefs."
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) January 10, 2024
Ja'Marr Chase kept the rivalry alive when asked on SportsCenter who's going to the Super Bowl.
Tee Higgins also weighed in. #Bengals @fox19 @Real10jayy__ @teehiggins5 pic.twitter.com/OG9jYnDzJs
Chiefs and Bengals fans are showing that compassion matters more than the score when it comes to supporting injured stars.
And of course, who can forget when Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce called the mayor of Cincinnati what the Oxford Dictionary defines as “a foolish or contemptible person.”
GIVE @TKELCE THE MIC.
— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
(via @NFLonCBS) pic.twitter.com/K1fSPyaEkW
The rivalry is authentic and built on real pain. It’s spicy and I love it. But some things are bigger than football.
When Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in 2023, Chiefs fans donated $9, the same number Burrow wears, to The Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund, which helps kids experiencing food insecurity.
Along with the donations came messages of kindness and support for Burrow, wishing him a speedy recovery. It showed that football rivalries end on the football field, that people themselves are more important than the game they play.
Now, Bengals fans are returning the favor.
Following Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending ACL injury, Sleeper Bengals, a Cincinnati-focused fan account on Twitter/X, is urging Bengals fans to donate money to 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, citing the donations Chiefs Kingdom made in 2023.
When Joe Burrow injured his wrist in 2023, Chiefs fans rallied together to donate money to both his foundation and his hunger relief, using $9 donations.
— SleeperBengals (@SleeperBengals) December 15, 2025
With Patrick Mahomes now having to battle through an injury as well, I think #Bengals fans should look to donate to his own… pic.twitter.com/xfLs8aZQ1E
Classy move, Cincinnati. Classy move. “Bengals fan reporting for duty! Get well soon Patrick Mahomes,” said one user on Twitter.
In response to SleeperBengals' post, a Chiefs fan shared their gratitude. “I’ve seen some stuff in the last 24 hours that made me question NFL fans as a whole so 🥹 Thank you for this,” they posted.
I’ve seen some stuff in the last 24 hours that made me question NFL fans as a whole so 🥹 Thank you for this.
— Leah (@LoLeah3) December 15, 2025
15 and the Mahomies says it is “dedicated to improving the lives of children”. You can donate to the organization here.