Travis Kelce not only proved that reports of his demise were overstated on Sunday, but he also became the Kansas City Chiefs’ career receptions leader. Kelce has seven receptions for 89 yards in the Chiefs’ 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. With his second grab, he surpassed Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record. Kelce declined to speak to reporters in the locker room following the game.
Despite Kelce’s poor start statistically in his first three games this season, with only eight catches for 69 yards, coach Andy Reid did not emphasize the importance of Kelce having a breakout game.
“I don’t care what anybody thinks, to be honest with you,” she remarked. “I see what the defense does and how much they respect him, and I base it on that. I watch Trav every day, so I get to see how he works, and he never wants to come out in practice or during games. I don’t worry about it because he’s always all in.
Kansas City’s wideouts showed their support by wearing personalized Kelce T-shirts during pregame warmups. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who attributed Kelce’s poor start to the additional attention he was getting from rival teams, wasn’t too concerned about his favorite receiver’s early lack of receptions. “I mean, the whole Kelce thing, in general, hasn’t been a worry to me,” Mahomes told the crowd. “I’m confident he’ll make the necessary plays. And that is precisely what he did today.
The nine-time Pro Bowl tight end made a 38-yard reception on the third play of Kansas City’s first drive, tying Gonzalez’s 916 catches set over 12 seasons from 1997 to 2008. Kelce subsequently caught a 5-yard pass on the Chiefs’ fourth drive, breaking the record early in his 12th season with the franchise. He currently has 922 receptions.
Taylor Swift was not in attendance at SoFi Stadium to see her boyfriend’s latest accomplishment, which places him fourth in NFL history regarding tight end receptions. Kelce trails Gonzalez, who finished with 1,325 catches after five seasons with Atlanta following his Chiefs career, and Jason Witten and Antonio Gates.
The veteran may have to play an even more significant role in the winners’ offense after top receiver Rashee Rice damaged his right knee in a collision with Mahomes during an interception return. The play began when Mahomes overthrew Kelce downfield, which Kristian Fulton intercepted.
“With Rashee going out, you’ve got to put Kelce back in that situation where he can get high-volume catches,” Mahomes told reporters. “The Chargers were removing some of the outside stuff and leaving the middle of the field open.” Kelce, celebrating 35 on Saturday, is getting closer to two more Kansas City club marks. He has 74 touchdown receptions, behind only Gonzalez (77). Kelce’s 77 total touchdowns are seven below Priest Holmes’ Chiefs record of 84.
