Travis Kelce just stepped into a club so exclusive, it’s been a one-man show since the 1990s. That man?
Jerry Rice. And now, after Sunday’s game, it’s a two-man operation.
With his latest performance, Kelce hit 800 receiving yards for the season - marking the 12th straight year he's reached that mark. That’s not just consistency; that’s all-time great territory.
Until now, Rice was the only player in NFL history to post 800 or more receiving yards in a dozen consecutive seasons. Kelce just matched him, and in doing so, carved out yet another chapter in what’s already a Hall of Fame résumé.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t peak Kelce. The days of him routinely hitting the 1,000-yard mark may be behind him - this would be his third straight season falling short of that milestone.
But that doesn’t mean he’s faded into the background. Far from it.
Even with Patrick Mahomes sidelined on Sunday, Kelce was out there doing what he does best - finding soft spots in the defense, moving the chains, and giving the Chiefs’ offense a reliable target when they needed one. His impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s still a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties, and his football IQ continues to be a cheat code in Andy Reid’s system.
Whether or not Kelce suits up for the final two weeks of the regular season remains to be seen. Retirement rumors have swirled, and at 36, it’s fair to wonder how much longer he’ll keep going. But Sunday was a reminder: even in a season where the numbers aren't eye-popping, Kelce is still making history.
Twelve straight seasons of 800+ receiving yards. Only Jerry Rice had ever done it.
Now, it’s Rice and Kelce - two of the greatest to ever line up as pass-catchers in this league. That’s rare air.
And Kelce just breathed it in.