With the Kansas City Chiefs officially out of the playoff hunt, the final stretch of the regular season won’t be about chasing another Lombardi Trophy. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to play for. In fact, there’s still one storyline worth watching closely over these last three games-a milestone that would be the perfect punctuation mark on one of the greatest careers the NFL has ever seen.
Let’s talk about Travis Kelce.
The veteran tight end is closing in on yet another 1,000-yard season. If he gets there, it would mark his eighth-yes, eighth-1,000-yard campaign, extending a record he already owns.
No other tight end in league history has more than four. And at 36 years old, this one would be historic for another reason: it would make Kelce the oldest tight end ever to hit that mark, breaking Pete Retzlaff’s long-standing record from 1965.
That’s not just longevity. That’s sustained greatness.
Kelce enters the final three games of the season with 797 receiving yards. That’s just 203 shy of the milestone.
Do the math, and he needs to average about 68 yards per game to get there. That’s not out of reach-not for a guy who just posted 70 yards against the Chargers.
But it’s going to take a consistent effort, and perhaps a little extra intention from the Chiefs’ offense.
Now, Kansas City has never been a team to chase stats just for the sake of it. Just last season, Kelce sat out the regular-season finale while sitting only 16 yards shy of 1,000.
The streak ended at seven straight. But this year feels different.
With the playoffs off the table, the Chiefs have a rare opportunity to shift focus-if only slightly-to honor one of their all-time greats in a tangible way.
And Kelce has more than one milestone within reach. He’s also on the verge of moving up the all-time receiving list for tight ends.
He needs just 99 yards to pass Jason Witten for second place in career receiving yards at the position. Witten finished with 13,046 yards; Kelce currently sits at 12,948.
That’s a number he could realistically hit in a single game.
While this season hasn’t been Kelce’s cleanest-he’s had a few uncharacteristic drops, including three that turned into interceptions, two of which played major roles in Chiefs losses-his production remains elite. Even with those miscues, he’s tied for second in receiving yards among tight ends, alongside Kyle Pitts, who’s 11 years younger.
Among all NFL players, Kelce ranks 24th in receiving yards this season. No other Chief cracks the top 50.
That’s not just a testament to his talent-it’s a reflection of how important he remains to this team, even in a down year.
Sure, the burst isn’t quite what it once was. And yes, the scrutiny has been louder this season, especially with the Chiefs struggling more than they have in a decade.
But amid all that, Kelce continues to deliver at a level most tight ends would dream of. He’s still the heartbeat of Kansas City’s passing game, and even at 36, he’s redefining what’s possible for his position.
Another 1,000-yard season wouldn’t just be a personal victory. It would be a reminder to everyone-fans, critics, and future Hall of Fame voters alike-of just how dominant Kelce has been. It would be a fitting chapter in a career that’s already one of the most decorated in NFL history.
We don’t know if this is Kelce’s final run in a Chiefs uniform. But if it is, there would be something poetic about him going out with another milestone, another record, another reason to say: this guy changed the game.
Three games. 203 yards. One more shot at history.
Let’s see if Travis Kelce can finish this season the way he’s played so many others-with greatness.