Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce climbs NFL record books with historic achievement
Kelce’s career total to 11,854 receiving yards
unexpected move that includes Daniel Jones
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has further solidified his place in NFL history.
During Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, Kelce surpassed Antonio Gates to claim third place on the all-time receiving yards list for tight ends.
A 19-yard catch pushed Kelce’s career total to 11,854 yards, eclipsing Gates’ previous mark of 11,841 yards. With this milestone, Kelce now trails only Jason Witten (13,046 yards) and Tony Gonzalez (15,127 yards).
While reaching Witten’s record remains within reach, overtaking Gonzalez’s unmatched tally appears unlikely for the 35-year-old star.
Despite his remarkable personal achievements, Kelce has consistently downplayed individual accolades, focusing instead on team success. For Kelce, his legacy is less about numbers and more about Super Bowl triumphs.
In 2022, Kelce sat out the Chiefs’ final regular-season game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Though playing could have extended his streak of seven consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, he prioritized staying healthy for the playoffs.
Reflecting on the decision on his New Heights podcast, Kelce said, “It never felt right to go out there chasing stats. If I could get some rest going into next week and stay off the turf in LA and just avoid some hits, man, I was all for that to gear up for the playoffs.
“I’ve never sat here and said, ‘If I don’t get 1,000 yards, my season was a failure.’ I’ve always had it in my mind if I lose the Super Bowl, that’s a failure.”
Kelce’s team-first mentality has been a cornerstone of his career and a driving force behind the Chiefs’ consistent success. The eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion has been instrumental in Kansas City’s dominance in recent years.
Kelce’s NFL future
With at least one more year left on his current contract, Kelce has time to continue climbing the ranks. Whether or not he surpasses Witten or Gonzalez, Kelce’s impact on the game is undeniable.
His ability to remain a critical component of the Chiefs’ offense, even at 35, showcases his unparalleled skill and determination. For Kelce, however, the true measure of success will always be hoisting another Lombardi Trophy, not just setting records.
