Travis Kelce enters the postseason for the second consecutive year facing questions about whether he’s lost a step.
In 2023, Kelce missed the season finale, ending his seven-year streak of 1,000-plus yards. His career-low 10.6 yards per catch raised concerns about his longevity. However, the future Hall of Famer dominated in the postseason, racking up 355 yards and three touchdowns on 32 catches, leading to another Lombardi Trophy.
The 2024 season saw a further decline in production. In 16 games, Kelce totaled 823 yards, his lowest outside of a one-game rookie campaign. The tight end caught 97 passes, but only scored three touchdowns and averaged 8.5 yards per catch.
Despite Kelce posting career lows, Patrick Mahomes expects another strong postseason performance from the star tight end.
“I think it’s just the greats, man. They step up in the playoffs, and the intensity rises,” Mahomes said Tuesday, via the team’s official transcript. “The best players and the best leaders step up and make the best plays, and he’s done that. I expect the same from him going into these playoffs. His mentality on the field, whether at practice or on game day, resonates with the entire team and gets everyone to play their best football, and that’s what it takes to win championships.”
Kelce consistently elevates his game in the postseason. He averages 69.4 receiving yards per game in the regular season but boosts that to 86.5 yards per game in the playoffs. With 165 receptions, Kelce holds the record for most catches in NFL postseason history, and his 1,903 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns rank second only to Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
Mahomes and Kelce have connected for 17 touchdowns in their playoff careers, the most by any duo in NFL history. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski rank second with 15.
Kelce has recorded 70 or more receiving yards in 13 consecutive playoff games, the longest streak in NFL history. He will aim to extend that streak to 14 on Saturday against Houston.
