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Chiefs star Travis Kelce cracks top 5 in receiving yards among NFL tight ends

Chiefs Buccaneers Football
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Only four tight ends in NFL history have ever racked up more receiving yards than Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce.

On the third play of the Chiefs’ third drive, Kelce caught a routine 7-yard pass from Mahomes, but the reception moved him past Rob Gronkowski for fifth place all-time in receiving yards among NFL tight ends.

"What an honor," Kelce said.

Gronkowski retired during the offseason after spending the last two years of his career with Tampa Bay.

"Eight-seven, Rob Gronkowski, you can't say enough about who he is as a player and as a person," Kelce said. "Even to be in the same conversation as a guy like that and the rest of the list, it's just an honor."

Kelce finished with nine catches for 92 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown in the game's first minute and an incredible catch as he fell down and reached back for low pass over the middle late in the fourth quarter.

"He's a heck of a player," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.

Kelce now has 9,328 career receiving yards. Only former Chiefs great Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Antonio Gates and Shannon Sharpe have ever had more.

"TO be on a list like that with those guys, it's such an honor and I'm just blessed," Kelce said.

On Kansas City’s opening drive, Kelce set the tone with a hesitant move on his route to lose Lavonte David in coverage for a 16-yard touchdown.

The Chiefs never trailed in a 41-31 victory.

Kelce already owns the NFL record with six 1,000-yard receiving seasons. No other tight end has more than four.

All six of Kelce’s seasons have come in the last six seasons.

MOST RECEIVING YARDS BY TIGHT END, NFL HISTORY

RankPlayerCareer yardsCareer games
1.Tony Gonzalez15,127270
2.Jason Witten13,046271
3.Antonio Gates11,841236
4.Shannon Sharpe9,961204
5.Travis Kelce9,301131