Rob Gronkowski knows exactly where Travis Kelce stands in the chase for another piece of tight end history.
Appearing Wednesday on the Kay Adams Show, the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star said Kelce has a real shot to close the gap on his career touchdown total if the Kansas City Chiefs tight end keeps rolling.
"I think he could possibly catch it this year if he keeps up this pace that he's got going on for this season," Gronkowski said.
"It's a possibility that he could pull it off this year. That would be one of the best years ever at the tight end position to be at that age and just dominate like that.
"It just makes sense why he came back."
Kelce is 13 touchdowns behind Gronkowski’s career total, and after a 2025 season that fell short of his usual standard, he decided to return for at least one more run alongside Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
By his own lofty bar, 2025 was a quiet year for Kelce. He finished the season with 76 catches, 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns across 17 games as Kansas City missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
Even so, the veteran still landed a Pro Bowl nod. He had considered retirement after the season, but ultimately chose to run it back.
Gronkowski and Kelce have spent years stacking up awards, numbers and arguments about who sits atop the tight end mountain. Gronkowski was taken by the Patriots in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, while the Chiefs grabbed Kelce in the third round of the 2013 draft. Both helped reshape what the position could look like.
Gronkowski built his case as one of the most complete tight ends ever. He was a dominant receiver, a strong blocker and a force in big moments, while serving as a trusted target for Tom Brady in both New England and Tampa Bay.
Kelce brought a different style. The Cincinnati product has played more like a wideout than a traditional tight end, with elite route-running and enough blocking ability to fit Andy Reid’s offense. He has also made his mark in the postseason.
The record book still gives each man his own slice of history. Gronkowski owns the mark for most total touchdowns in a season by a tight end with 18, and he was the first tight end to lead the league in receiving touchdowns. Kelce holds the record for most career postseason receiving touchdowns by a tight end with 20, along with the most seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards by a tight end with seven.
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