Football

The New York Jets shocked the NFL world Tuesday by firing head coach Robert Saleh after starting the season 2-3 ... and former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi tells TMZ Sports the move is too little, too late -- saying this should've been done LAST YEAR!

We asked the longtime front office exec for his thoughts on Gang Green owner Woody Johnson's decision to part ways with Saleh after just five games, and an overall record of 20-36 during his three-season tenure.

Lombardi says when an organization goes through something like this, it's a surefire sign of dysfunction.

Colbie Young -- a member of the University of Georgia football team -- was arrested early Tuesday morning on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault of an unborn child.

According to the incident report -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- Young's 20-year-old ex-girlfriend stated she went to his apartment in Athens around midnight so they could discuss their relationship.

The ex said the conversation grew heated after she learned he was on the phone with another woman ... and claimed there had been infidelity in the relationship.

Mrs. Taylor Swift Kelce?!

That's the moniker Troy Aikman gave the world-famous popstar while broadcasting Monday Night Football ... when cameras showed the singer after her man Travis Kelce made a play for the Chiefs.

After a two-game hiatus, Swift appeared in an Arrowhead Stadium suite to watch her BF and his Chiefs teammates beat the New Orleans Saints, 26-13.

Robert Saleh's time as Jets head coach is over ... the team just fired him.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported New York brass made the move Tuesday morning -- just two days after NY put up a clunker against the Minnesota Vikings in London.

The Jets -- who had Super Bowl aspirations heading into the season -- were just 2-3 under Saleh's leadership so far this year ... and to make matter worse for the guy, there were numerous reports that he and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't see eye-to-eye.

Bill Belichick was clearly irked during his "Manningcast" appearance on "Monday Night Football" ... but while many believed it was a reaction to yet another Taylor Swift sighting, it actually seems like the guy was just fed up with what was happening on the field.

The legendary coach joined Peyton and Eli Manning during the second quarter of the Kansas City Chiefs' 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints ... and in the final seconds before halftime, Patrick Mahomes and Co. drove down the field to set up a field goal.

BB let out a groan over the Saints defense's poor execution ... and the trio explained how they should have forced Kelce to the middle of the field after a catch -- instead of allowing him to get out of bounds and stop the clock.

Jason and Kylie Kelce shared some adorable PDA before the new ESPN talent started his "Monday Night Football" analyst gig -- getting in a smooch near a broadcast stage -- and the sweet moment was all caught on video!!

The ex-Philadelphia Eagles center -- who swapped out his Chiefs tailgate attire for a button-down shirt for ESPN's pregame show -- was gearing up to break down Kansas City's matchup with the Saints from the Arrowhead Stadium turf ... when Kylie grabbed him for a few seconds to seemingly wish him luck.

She planted a kiss right on his lips ... and then appeared to wipe something off his face.

Taylor Swift put to rest rumors she and Brittany Mahomes were on the outs during Monday night's Kansas City Chiefs game against the New Orleans Saints.

The pop star was strolling through a walkway at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City when she bumped into her pregnant buddy, Brittany, and the two embraced in a huge hug.

Check out the video ... after their warm greeting, Taylor and Brittany were all smiles as they briefly chatted before going their separate ways while the crowd cheered and shot cell phone footage of the encounter.

Kayla Nicole was put in a tough spot at her new job ... being forced to talk about her famous ex-boyfriend, Travis Kelce, when breaking down some sports betting -- and yeah, it's pretty awkward.

It all went down on the "I Am Athlete Daily Show" ... a program where Nicole discusses upcoming wagers with Brandon Marshall, Aqib Talib and Tad Prescott.

Naturally, "Monday Night Football" was a topic of conversation ... which means the crew chatted about the Week 5 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs.

A lot more than a win was on the line when Ka'imi Fairbairn nailed a 59-yard field goal to help the Houston Texans beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday ... 'cause one die-hard fan vowed to free the nip if her team came out on top -- and she stayed true to her word!!

X user @sourpatchkidsx made the X-rated promise during the first quarter of the matchup ... when C.J. Stroud and Co. held onto a 7-3 lead.

"if texans win i’ll show t**s," the passionate backer said.

Bill Belichick's clearly smitten with his girlfriend -- the legendary coach cracked a rare smile with Jordon Hudson in a recent social media post ... showing he's not just a grumpy guy after all!!

The 23-year-old cheerleader took to Instagram to recap her summer ... with multiple pics featuring the eight-time Super Bowl winner grinning from ear to ear alongside his boo.

In one of the snaps, you see the 72-year-old rocking a piece of Taylor Swift merch alongside Hudson ... with a beautiful sunset and lighthouse serving as the backdrop.

Jabrill Peppers was arrested on Saturday after his girlfriend told cops he roughed her up, according to court documents obtained by TMZ Sports ... but the NFL player is adamant the claims are untrue.

Officials wrote in the docs that Peppers' GF alleged the New England Patriots safety got violent with her at around 4 AM ... after she got a phone call during intercourse with him that he didn't like.

Authorities say she stated he demanded she leave his apartment -- and pushed her out of the bedroom while they were both naked. Moments later, she claimed he "put his hands on her neck and pushed her head against the wall." The whole time, she said he appeared "out of his mind and had a serious expression."

Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and the rest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are taking zero chances ahead of Hurricane Milton ... electing to make their road trip to New Orleans days earlier than expected.

The 3-2 Bucs are scheduled to play a road matchup against their division-rival Saints on Sunday ... and were initially slated to fly out on Saturday.

However, Hurricane Milton has changed those plans ... as the Category 4 storm is heading straight for the Sunshine State.

New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers was reportedly arrested in Massachusetts early Saturday morning ... facing charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and drug possession.

According to local reports, Braintree Police were dispatched to a home on the morning of October 5 ... after receiving a call regarding a disturbance.

EMS treated an alleged victim at the scene ... and after an investigation, Peppers was arrested.

Travis Kelce is now on the backside of 30 having celebrated his 35th birthday Saturday, and Taylor Swift was MIA, but fear not Swifties ... this will all course correct Monday night.

Travis hit up his Kelce Car Jam spectacle in Kansas City, and he broke the news to the staff Taylor was not showing up.

As you know, there's this crazy buzz that when Taylor is not at every Travis game or event, there's trouble in paradise, but not the case. Travis said Taylor will be cheering him on Monday night when the Chiefs take on the Saints in K.C.

Vanderbilt Univ. scored a stunning win over Alabama on Saturday -- one of the biggest ever for the team -- and they celebrated with one of the craziest celebrations ever ... ripping the goalpost out of the ground and dragging it miles away for its new home in a famous river!!!

The Commodores crushed the Crimson Tide by a score of 40-35, and Nashville fans went nuts ... rushing the field at FirstBank Stadium and somehow dislodging the goalpost from the ground.

But that wasn't the end ... fans lugged the gigantic object more than 3 miles to its new home -- in the Cumberland River.

Despite suffering yet another scary head injury, Tua Tagovailoa is still going to try to return to the NFL -- so says his close family friend, Manti Te'o.

The former New Orleans Saints linebacker made the revelation to us out in Los Angeles this week -- some 21 days after Tagovailoa sustained his third diagnosed concussion in a "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Bills.

Te'o says while he's tried to give the 26-year-old signal-caller his space as he recovers from the brain trauma ... he did recently speak with the Dolphins star's father -- and from everything he's hearing, Tua is "going to try to get back."