KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No tight end in NFL history has ever been as productive as Travis Kelce through 140 career games.
Kelce became the second Kansas City Chiefs player in team history and only the fifth tight end in NFL history to top 10,000 career receiving yards Sunday against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
With a 37-yard reception on the Chiefs’ second drive, Kelce reached two milestones.
Not only did he reach the career milestone, but Kelce — who had four catches for 71 yards — also went over 1,000 yards for the seventh consecutive season.
“It’s quite a tribute to him,” coach Andy Reid said.
Three other tight ends — Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski and Jason Witten — have four 1,000-yard seasons apiece, which ranks second in NFL history, though none ever had more than two such consecutive seasons.
Before Kelce, Greg Olsen was the only tight end in league history with three straight 1,000-yard seasons (2014-16).
“Honestly, right now, the win means more than any of those stats,” Kelce said. “Everybody’s kind of been talking about me getting those stats at some point this year, so it was on everybody’s radar.”
Kelce now has 10,045 career yards. Only Gonzalez (15,127), Witten (13,046), Antonio Gates (11,841) and Shannon Sharpe (10,060) have more, and each played at least 64 more games than Kelce has so far in his career.
“Obviously, all those guys, that’s unbelievable company to be in,” Kelce said. “I’ve been fortunate I’ve had the coaches and the players around me to have as much success in the NFL as I’ve had.”
Kelce, who is a master after the catch running with the football, has redefined the potency of the tight end as a modern-day NFL weapon — and it has almost certainly ensured him a place in Canton alongside pro football’s past greats when his career is finished.
Only 52 players in NFL history have ever reached 10,000 receiving yards, and Bud Light announced a $10,000 donation to the Kansas City-based Veterans Community Project in celebration of Kelce’s achievement.
Travis Kelce just became the fastest TE to hit 10K yards, so we're giving away $10,000 worth of beer.
— Bud Light (@budlight) December 11, 2022
RT with #10KforKelce and #Sweepstakes for a chance to score beer on us. pic.twitter.com/VJYF0gbgYV
Five of Kelce's seven 1,000-yard seasons have now come with Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs' quarterback. The pair share an uncommon bond.
The combination of Kelce's IQ, ability after the catch and Mahomes' own generational talent has created NFL magic.
Most career receiving yards by a TE in NFL history
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