NFL
Travis Kelce’s NFL Journey: How Long Has He Been in the League?
Kelce has been in the NFL since 2013, after he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. His presence in the league is marked by a dynamic playing style and a charismatic identity, making him a bona fide, must-see superstar. NFL betting fans are always tuned into his performances, as his impact on game outcomes often shakes up the betting lines.
Travis Kelce//Getty Images
Often considered among the greatest tight ends to have graced in the gridiron, Kelce’s dominance not only illuminates on the field, but also extends to the pop culture, through his glamour’s lifestyle. He is a cultural icon whose personal life, career and influence is always scrutinized for publicity.
In 2013, Kelce officially declared himself for the NFL Draft. Scouts regarded him as talented; however, his injury history was a concern for them. Despite that, Kansas City Chiefs saw promise in Kelce, and drafted him in the third round, 63rd overall. This would be the turning point, not only for Kelce but also for the team.
Kelce’s drafting came after scouts saw potential in him, overlooking his checkered injury history that had emerged while playing for his Alma Mater, the University of Cincinnati.
Kelce’s time with the Cincinnati Bearcats saw him earn a bachelor’s degree in sports management, which proved vital to his future NFL development. This potential game-changer would later become valuable to his franchise.
Season as a Rookie
The rookie season was a learning experience for Kelce in 2013. He would spend time playing behind veteran tight end Anthony Fasano, which gave him the opportunity to learn and build his game.
However, a knee injury in preseason would complicate things, limiting his game time, before finally undergoing a micro-fracture surgery on the bruised knee. He sat out the rest of the season, having only played one game.
Rise to Stardom
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs//Getty Images
Kelce’s second season with the Chiefs saw remarkable improvement as he managed to play 16 games, starting 11 of them. He finished the 2014 season as the leading receiver for the Chiefs, with a total of 67 receptions off 862 yards.
The 2015 season would prove to be Kelce’s breakout season. He ultimately found the balanced combination of rare speed and agility, announcing himself as one of the prime tight ends in the league. Kelce registered 5 touchdowns and 875 receiving yards. He earned his first Pro-Bowl in 2015.
The 2016 season saw Kelce sign a five-year contract extension worth 46 million dollars. He continued putting in spectacular performances, guiding the Chiefs to the AFC West title and another playoff appearance, before eventually losing to the Pittsburg Steelers.
Birth of a Dynasty and Connection with Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs drafted quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2017. What was unknown at the time, is, this would be a masterstroke move by the franchise as it ushered in a new wave for them.
The addition of Mahomes marked a radical turn in Kelce’s career. Kelce finished the regular season with a career high of 8 receiving touchdowns. He finished second among tight ends with 1,038 receiving yards, only trailing Gronkowski's 1,084 receiving yards.
The Chiefs made another playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card Round, but the roots upon which future success would be built on were on showcase, especially the connection between Mahomes and Kelce.
During 2018, Kelce had his best season, with more than 1,300 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. He was named to the 2018 Pro Bowl and was named First-Team All-Pro. He benefitted from the rise of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was named NFL MVP at the end of the season.
Chiefs made it all the way to the AFC championship game. Kelce registered three receptions for 23 yards and a receiving touchdown, on-route to a 77-31 overtime loss, against a Tom Brady-led New England Patriots.
First Super Bowl Win
The peak point of Kelce’s NFL career occurred during the 2019 season, which saw him go on an unprecedented run during the regular season and playoffs. Kelce finished the season with 97 receptions for 1,229 receiving yards and five receiving touchdown, which went along with his one rushing touchdown.
Kelce became the first tight end in NFL history to record four consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards and was named as a fifth Pro Bowler.
He mirrored his regular season performance in the playoffs, as the Chiefs made it all the way to Super Bowl LIV.
During the hard fought Super Bowl encounter against the San Francisco 49ers, Kelce caught six passes for 43 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. He also had one carry, for two rushing yards, as the Chiefs rallied from a ten-point deficit in the game to a 31-20 win, ending the franchise’s fifty-year championship drought.
While celebrating, Kelce could not help but be animated; He beamed out of love for the game and for the team.
Consecutive Super Bowl appearance
During the 2020 season, Kelce signed a four-year, 57-million-dollar contract extension with the Chiefs through the 2025 season. He broke various records, as he became the first tight end with two 100-catch seasons. Kelce caught seven passes, giving him a career-high 105 for the season.
He also set the single-season yardage record for a tight end with 1,416, topping George Kittle's 1,377 in 2018. He was named to his sixth Pro Bowl and earned First-team All-Pro honors.
The Chiefs made it all the way to Super Bowl LV, where Kelce caught 10 passes for 133 yards, registering a record for receiving yards by a tight end in the Super Bowl. However, a defensive masterclass from the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers ensured the Chiefs did not score a touchdown, losing out on the Lombardi Trophy after a 21-9 loss.
More records and Heartbreaks
The 2021 season saw Kelce become the longest tenured member of the Chiefs squad. He became the fastest tight end in NFL history to record 8000 career yards in the Week 2 game against the Ravens.
He finished the season with 92 receptions for 1,125 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Ultimately, he was named to his seventh consecutive Pro-Bowl.
Kelce failed to make it to a third Super Bowl after losing the AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 in overtime.
Travis Kelce holds the NFL records for most consecutive and overall seasons with 1,000 receiving yards by a tight end, and the record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season with 1,416 in 2020, despite playing in only 15 games.
Second Super Bowl win
Kelce would continue to dazzle the NFL in the 2022 season, breaking various records in the process. He finished the season with 110 receptions for 1,338 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.
He set a single-game NFL postseason record for a tight end with 14 receptions in a 27–20 victory over the Jaguars, in the Divisional Round.
The Chiefs made it to Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce made history, becoming the first brothers to feature on opposing teams in the Super Bowl.
It was the younger Travis Kelce who would emerge victorious in the close match-up, which ended 38-35 against the Eagles.
Third Super Bowl win
The 2023 season saw Kelce miss his first game due to injury since his rookie season. This coupled with his decision to manage and miss a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, meant that he finished the regular season with 984 receiving yards on 93 receptions and five touchdowns. This ended his NFL-record streak of seven consecutive seasons to finish with 1,000 receiving yards.
In the playoffs, Kelce along with Mahomes, broke the record for most career touchdowns in the playoffs for a quarterback/receiver duo. He also surpassed Jerry Rice for most playoff receptions and tied Rice for first in 100+ receiving yard games.
In Super Bowl LVIII, Kelce was the leading yards receiver for the game, with nine receptions for 93 yards, as the Chiefs claimed a narrow 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers.
This would be Kelce’s third Super Bowl win and the Chiefs became the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions, since the New England Patriots accomplished the feat in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Chance at History
On April 29, 2024, Kelce signed a two-year contract extension with the Chiefs for a reported 34.25 million dollars, making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. He became the Chiefs' leader in career receptions, surpassing Tony Gonzalez's previous record of 916 catches, after recording a season-high seven receptions for 89 yards in a week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The 2024 season will offer Kelce and the Chiefs a chance to be immortalized, as they look to become the first NFL franchise to do a three-repeat of Super Bowl victories.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.