Against Broncos, Chiefs’ Kelce sets NFL record with fourth straight 1,000-yard season
Travis Kelce stands alone in the NFL record books.
With an 11-yard grab in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs’ star tight end topped the 1,000-yard receiving for the fourth straight season to become the only man in NFL history to accomplish the feat at his position.
He entered the game needing exactly 11 yards to set the record.
“How consistent he is on a game-to-game basis is truly special,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “He’s going out there trying to win; he’s being a competitor.”
Kelce previously shared the NFL record of three straight 1000-yard receiving seasons with Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, who accomplished the feat from 2014 to 2016.
He also entered the game 56 yards shy of breaking Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham’s record (6,280 yards) for most career receiving yards through a tight end’s first NFL seven seasons. He got that record too, totaling 85 yards on six catches by halftime.
When all was said and done Sunday, he’d hauled in 11 receptions on 13 targets for 142 yards.
While Kelce isn’t one to pay close attention to his statistics, which he shrugged off as a “bunch of numbers,” he acknowledged his opportunity to produce for the organization by crediting its leadership.
“I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been here in the Kansas City Chiefs organization under Coach Andy Reid, under (Chiefs chairman and CEO) Clark Hunt, the unbelievable coaches that have been here,” Kelce said. “And then just being able to gain their trust. That’s everything in terms of a team sport. ...
“It (the records) tells everybody I’m pretty fortunate to be on the field for four straight years.”
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Kelce has enjoyed a productive and record-setting career in Kansas City since joining the Chiefs in 2013 as a third-round draft pick out of Cincinnati.
In Week 3 this season, Kelce established an NFL record by becoming the fastest tight end in league history to record 425 receptions and 5,500 receiving yards (83 games) in the Super Bowl era.
Kelce also owns team records for most catches in a season (103, set in 2018); most yards receiving yards for a tight end in a season (1,336, set in 2018); and most yards receiving yards by a tight end in a single game (168, set in 2018).
In his career, including Sunday’s game, Kelce has appeared in 93 career games with 86 starts, earning first-team All-Pro honors twice and being named to four Pro Bowls.
Kelce entered game with 485 catches for 6,225 yards. He had 491 for 6,310 at halftime Sunday and now has 496 for 6,367. His season and career numbers will only climb as long as the 30-year-old continues playing and eventually makes his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Chiefs tight ends coach Tom Melvin, who addressed the media on Dec. 5 ahead of Week 14’s matchup against the New England Patriots, believes football immortality is achievable for Kelce.
“Longevity is the difference, so if his longevity is going to put him there, then I think he definitely he has a chance on that,” Melvin said. “He’s years away from getting to that point, but as far as now where he is at this point in his career, he’s on track.”
This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 12:33 PM.
