Travis Kelce Eyes NFL History Against Seahawks With Combined Yardage Record Within Reach

Travis Kelce Closes In On Tony Gonzalez’s Combined Yardage Record© Instagram

Tony Gonzalez's combined receiving yardage record could fall Sunday night in Seattle. Travis Kelce needs 35 yards to pass the Hall of Famer, putting another milestone within reach for a player still leading Kansas City's receiving corps in his 14th season.

Kelce enters with 15,379 yards across regular-season and playoff games. Gonzalez finished with 15,413. The Chiefs arrive at Lumen Field unbeaten through five games, and Kelce is available despite an ankle injury that limited him throughout practice this week. Rashee Rice, however, will miss the game.

Kelce's Postseason Record Changes The Comparison

Gonzalez's regular-season total remains the standard for tight ends: 15,127 yards. Kelce has 13,301, so that particular chase still has some distance to run.

Add the playoffs and the comparison changes considerably. Kelce has accumulated 2,078 postseason receiving yards, against Gonzalez's 286.

Kansas City's repeated trips deep into January have given Kelce opportunities, and he has made them count. His playoff totals include 178 receptions and 20 touchdown catches. Only Jerry Rice has more postseason receiving yards among all pass catchers, with 2,245.

Kelce's place in those runs is reflected in the Chiefs' record book. He caught the overtime winner against Buffalo in their January 2022 divisional-round game, then caught 11 passes for 116 yards against Baltimore in the AFC championship game two seasons later.

Sunday's target is modest by comparison. He has exceeded 35 yards in four of his five games this season, including a 101-yard afternoon against Indianapolis.
 

Ankle Injury Does Not Keep Kelce Out

Kelce caught four passes for 53 yards against the Chargers last week. He briefly left with an ankle problem, returned and finished the game as Kansas City won 22–6.

The ankle kept him limited Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but the Chiefs assigned him no game designation. Patrick Mahomes also has no designation after practicing fully with a knee issue.

Rice's absence leaves Kansas City without another established target. The receiver was ruled out with hamstring and knee injuries, while right tackle Jaylon Moore is unavailable because of a concussion.

Kelce has 20 catches for 299 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging 15 yards per reception. His longest gain covered 59 yards against Denver.

Seattle must also contend with former Seahawks back Kenneth Walker III, who has rushed for 665 yards in his first five Chiefs games. Kelce will have company among the players drawing attention from the home defense.