
Travis Kelce is feeling the pressure to keep Father Time at bay, and the 2024 regular season showed that the battle is getting tougher. The Kansas City Chiefs’ legendary tight end, widely regarded as one of the best ever at his position, saw a noticeable dip in his production after years of unparalleled dominance.
Kelce has been the picture of consistency, recording an impressive streak of seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons during his prime. However, 2024 painted a different picture:
- Receiving Yards: For the first time since 2015, Kelce failed to reach 900 yards, finishing the season with 823.
- 100-Yard Games: He logged just one such game across 16 appearances.
- Touchdowns: Kelce tallied only three receiving touchdowns, his lowest since becoming a starter in 2014.
While these numbers may still be solid for most tight ends, they fall short of Kelce’s Hall of Fame-caliber standards.
Comparing 2024 to his usual output
Here’s how Kelce’s 2024 stats stack up:
Stat | 2024 Total | Tight End Rank | Overall NFL Rank |
---|---|---|---|
Receptions | 97 | 3rd | 12th |
Receiving Yards | 823 | 5th | 39th |
Receiving TDs | 3 | T-14th | T-81st |
Despite ranking near the top among tight ends, Kelce’s numbers reflect a decline:
- His yards per reception dropped to 8.5, continuing a downward trend.
- Yards after catch fell to just 3.5, a notable dip from 2023’s 5.0.
- Patrick Mahomes’ passer rating on throws to Kelce dropped significantly, from 106.9 in 2023 to 83.6 in 2024.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s Kelce’s proven ability to shine in the postseason. He leads all NFL players in playoff receptions (165) and ranks second only to Jerry Rice in both receiving yards (1,903) and touchdowns (19).
With a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy in sight, Kelce’s postseason experience and chemistry with Mahomes could make all the difference.
Mahomes’ faith in Kelce
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains confident in his favorite target:
“The greats step up in the playoffs. It’s higher intensity, and the best players make the best plays. He’s done that, and I expect the same from him,” Mahomes said ahead of the divisional round.
For Kansas City to maintain their dominance, they’ll need Kelce to rediscover his rhythm when it matters most.