Hey there, football fans! If you’ve ever watched a Travis Kelce Career Stats and marveled at that big, charismatic tight end hauling in passes like it’s no big deal, you’ve probably seen Travis Kelce in action. At 36 years old in the 2025 season, Kelce isn’t just a player—he’s a legend. With three Super Bowl rings, more Pro Bowl nods than you can count on one hand, and stats that make him one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, his career is the stuff of highlight reels. Whether you’re a die-hard Chiefs supporter, a casual viewer, or just curious about how this guy became a household name (thanks in part to his high-profile romance with Taylor Swift), this article breaks it all down in simple terms. We’ll chat about his journey from college to the pros, dive into his jaw-dropping stats with a handy table, and explore what makes him so special. Let’s get into it!
Early Days: From Ohio Kid to College Star
Travis Kelce was born on October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio—a suburb of Cleveland where football is king. Growing up, he was the younger brother to Jason Kelce, who went on to become a star center for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Kelce brothers were competitive from the start, playing backyard games and dreaming big. Travis was a multi-sport athlete in high school, excelling in basketball and football at Cleveland Heights High School. He was a standout basketball player, earning All-Ohio honors, but football called him louder.
Kelce headed to the University of Cincinnati in 2008, initially as a quarterback. But after a rough freshman year and some position switches, he settled in as a tight end by his junior season. That’s when things clicked. In 2011, his senior year, he set a Cincinnati record for single-season receiving yards by a tight end with 722 yards on 36 catches and eight touchdowns. Over his college career (2008-2012), Kelce tallied 139 receptions for 1,920 yards and 15 touchdowns in 36 games. He wasn’t the flashiest recruit, but his size (6’5″, 250 pounds), athleticism, and that infectious personality made scouts take notice.
Fun fact: Kelce even threw a touchdown pass in college—a 39-yard strike to a teammate. But his real gift was blocking and catching, skills that would translate perfectly to the NFL. Despite his talent, off-field issues (a suspension for a team rule violation) dropped him in the draft conversation. Still, the Kansas City Chiefs saw potential and selected him in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Little did they know they’d just picked a future superstar.
Breaking into the NFL: Rookie Struggles and Rookie of the Year Buzz
Kelce’s NFL debut didn’t go as planned. In 2013, he played just one game after suffering a knee injury in preseason. He had zero catches, but that was just a hiccup. The Chiefs placed him on injured reserve, giving him time to heal and learn the pro game under legendary coach Andy Reid.
The real story starts in 2014. Kelce exploded onto the scene, catching 67 passes for 862 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games (11 starts). His yards per catch averaged 12.9, showing off his ability to turn short passes into big gains. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and suddenly, everyone was talking about this lanky tight end with the trash-talking flair. But it wasn’t all smooth— he fumbled four times that year, a lesson in ball security.
By 2015, Kelce was a full-time starter. He racked up 72 receptions for 875 yards and five scores, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. His chemistry with quarterback Alex Smith was growing, but whispers of something special were building. Off the field, Kelce’s personality shone through—he started appearing on TV shows and podcasts, showing he’s as good with a microphone as he is with a football.
The Patrick Mahomes Era: Travis Kelce Career Stats Go Through the Roof
Everything changed in 2018 when the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes. The duo became the most dynamic quarterback-tight end pair since, well, maybe Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Mahomes’ rocket arm and Kelce’s sure hands turned the Chiefs’ offense into a juggernaut.
In 2016, Kelce had a career year with 85 catches for 1,125 yards (his first 1,000-yard season) and four touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod and First-Team All-Pro honors. He followed that with 83 receptions for 1,038 yards and eight scores in 2017, proving he could dominate.
But 2018? That was magic. Kelce set personal bests with 103 catches for 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the league in receiving yards among tight ends. He was unstoppable, often outjumping defenders or stiff-arming them into next week. The playoffs that year saw him shine too, with big games en route to the AFC Championship.
The pattern continued. In 2020, amid a pandemic-shortened lead-up, Kelce had 105 receptions for 1,416 yards and 11 touchdowns—another All-Pro season. He became the first tight end in NFL history to hit 1,400 yards in a season. By 2022, he notched 110 catches for 1,338 yards and 12 scores, helping the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles (his brother Jason’s team—what a family moment!).
Kelce’s rushing stats are minimal—he’s no running back—but he has a few sneaky carries, like a 7-yard gain in 2017. Fumbles have been rare since his early days, showing his growth. He’s also a beast in pass protection, though those stats don’t always show up in the highlight packages.
Year-by-Year Breakdown: The Numbers Tell the Story
To really appreciate Kelce’s consistency, let’s look at the numbers. He’s played in 177 regular-season games (as of early 2025), starting 154. His career receiving totals are mind-blowing: 1,010 receptions for 12,259 yards and 78 touchdowns. That’s an average of 12.1 yards per catch, and he’s been targeted 1,410 times—meaning he catches about 72% of passes thrown his way. For context, that’s elite efficiency for a tight end who blocks as much as he catches.
Here’s a full table of his regular-season stats, compiled from reliable NFL sources like Pro-Football-Reference. I’ve kept it simple: games played (G), starts (GS), targets (Tgt), receptions (Rec), yards (Yds), yards per reception (Y/R), touchdowns (TD), rushing attempts (Att), rushing yards (Yds), rushing TDs, and fumbles lost (Fmb). Bold numbers highlight his best seasons.
| Season | Age | G | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Fmb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 25 | 16 | 11 | 87 | 67 | 862 | 12.9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2015 | 26 | 16 | 16 | 103 | 72 | 875 | 12.2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 27 | 16 | 15 | 117 | 85 | 1,125 | 13.2 | 4 | 1 | -5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 28 | 15 | 15 | 122 | 83 | 1,038 | 12.5 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 29 | 16 | 16 | 150 | 103 | 1,336 | 13.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | 30 | 16 | 16 | 136 | 97 | 1,229 | 12.7 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | 31 | 15 | 15 | 145 | 105 | 1,416 | 13.5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 134 | 92 | 1,125 | 12.2 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 152 | 110 | 1,338 | 12.2 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 34 | 15 | 15 | 121 | 93 | 984 | 10.6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 35 | 16 | 16 | 133 | 97 | 823 | 8.5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025* | 36 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 108 | 18.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 177 | 154 | 1,410 | 1,010 | 12,259 | 12.1 | 78 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 15 |
*2025 stats through Week 2; season ongoing.
What jumps out? Kelce has six 1,000-yard seasons—more than any other tight end in history except Tony Gonzalez. He’s the fastest TE to reach milestones like 10,000 yards (in 127 games) and 12,000 yards (in 172 games). His touchdown total ranks third all-time among tight ends, behind only Antonio Gates and Gonzalez. And those fumbles? Down to almost nothing after 2014, proving he’s a pro’s pro.
Postseason Glory: Where Kelce Truly Shines
Kelce’s regular-season numbers are great, but playoffs? That’s where he cements his legacy. In 22 postseason games (as of 2024), he’s got 118 receptions for 1,474 yards (12.5 Y/R) and 19 touchdowns—second all-time among tight ends in yards and TDs. He holds the NFL record for most career playoff receptions by a TE (118) and most playoff TDs by a non-QB/RB (19).
Key moments: In Super Bowl LIV (2020), he had 1 TD and 50 yards in a win over the 49ers. Super Bowl LVII (2023) saw him score twice against the Eagles. Even in the 2024 playoffs, he had big games en route to the Super Bowl, though the Chiefs fell to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX (Kelce: 4 catches, 39 yards). His career postseason rushing is negligible (2 att, 11 yds, 0 TD), but who needs that when you’re catching bombs from Mahomes?
Total career (reg + post): 1,128 receptions, 13,733 yards, 97 TDs. That’s Hall of Fame territory.
Awards, Records, and Why He’s the GOAT at TE
Kelce’s trophy case is packed. He’s earned 10 Pro Bowl selections (2015-2024), four First-Team All-Pro nods (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022), and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He’s finished top-six in MVP voting twice and led tight ends in yards multiple times.
Records? He’s got ’em. Most 100-yard games by a TE (53), fastest to 900 receptions (158 games), and most receiving yards after catch by a TE (5,359). Compared to legends like Gonzalez (15,127 yds career) or Gronkowski (9,586 yds, 92 TDs), Kelce’s pace is unmatched—he hit 10,000 yards faster than anyone at his position.
Off the field, Kelce’s won two Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year awards for charity work, including his 87 & Running foundation. His podcast with brother Jason? A massive hit. And yes, dating Taylor Swift brought new fans to football, boosting NFL viewership by millions.
The 2025 Season and Beyond: Still Going Strong?
Entering 2025, Kelce pondered retirement after the Super Bowl LIX loss but decided to return. Through two games, he’s got 6 catches for 108 yards and a TD—vintage Kelce efficiency. At 36, he’s not the speedster he was, but his route-running and hands are elite. With Mahomes slinging it and new weapons like Xavier Worthy (before his injury), Kelce remains a safety valve.
Will he play beyond 2025? Who knows— he’s hinted at “one more ride.” But his impact is eternal. Kelce didn’t just compile stats; he changed how tight ends are used, blending receiver skills with blocking prowess.
Wrapping It Up: Travis Kelce Career Stats Lasting Legacy
Travis Kelce Career Stats aren’t just numbers—they’re a testament to hard work, talent, and that never-give-up spirit. From a third-round pick to a three-time champ with over 12,000 receiving yards, he’s inspired kids everywhere to chase their dreams. Whether he’s celebrating with the Chiefs or bantering on his podcast, Kelce reminds us football is about passion and fun.
