If you’ve spent any time watching football over the last decade, you know that No. 87 in Kansas City red is basically a cheat code. But stats in the NFL move fast. One Sunday he's catching a five-yard out, the next he's breaking a record held by a Hall of Famer. It’s hard to keep up. If you are trying to figure out how many receiving yards does Travis Kelce have right now, the answer depends on whether you're counting just the regular season or the whole legendary ride.
As of the conclusion of the 2025 NFL regular season, Travis Kelce has racked up 13,002 career receiving yards.
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That is a massive number. To put it in perspective, that’s over seven miles of turf he has covered while giant human beings tried to tackle him. He officially crossed that 13,000-yard milestone in the final game of the 2025 season against the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, 2026.
Breaking Down the 2025 Season Numbers
Let’s talk about this past year, because it was a weird one for the Chiefs. The team struggled, finishing 6-11, and Patrick Mahomes dealt with a brutal ACL injury. Despite the chaos, Kelce was still out there doing Kelce things, even if the "explosive" plays were harder to come by.
In the 2025 season, Kelce finished with 851 receiving yards on 76 receptions.
He didn't hit the 1,000-yard mark this time around, which used to be a yearly tradition for him. Honestly, the age—he’s 36 now—and the revolving door at quarterback after Mahomes went down really capped his ceiling. But 851 yards for a tight end at his age? Still elite. Most guys are retired and playing golf by the time they hit 36. Kelce was still leading his team in targets.
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2025 Game-by-Game Highlights
He had some vintage moments. Look at the game against the Commanders in October where he put up 99 yards. Or the Broncos game in November where he hauled in 9 catches for 91 yards. He was still the safety blanket.
However, the end of the season was tough. In his last five games, he didn't clear 75 yards once. The Raiders game, which some are whispering might be his last ever, saw him finish with just 3 catches for 12 yards. It wasn't the flashy "walk off into the sunset" performance fans wanted, but it pushed him over that 13k career mark, which is a legacy-defining stat.
Where Kelce Stands on the All-Time List
When we ask how many receiving yards does Travis Kelce have, we’re usually really asking: "Is he the GOAT?"
The leaderboard for tight ends is a "who's who" of legends. Currently, Kelce sits at 3rd all-time for receiving yards by a tight end. He trailing only two men:
- Tony Gonzalez: 15,127 yards
- Jason Witten: 13,046 yards
He is literally breathing down Jason Witten’s neck. He finished the 2025 season just 44 yards shy of passing Witten for the #2 spot. If he plays even two games in 2026, he’s going to take that silver medal. Catching Tony Gonzalez? That’s a different story. He’d need about 2,100 more yards. At his current pace, that would take at least two or three more full seasons.
Why the "Fastest To" Stats Matter
Stats aren't just about the total; they're about the speed. Kelce reached 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 yards faster than any tight end in the history of the game. He did in 192 games what took others much longer. That efficiency is why he’s often ranked higher in "greatest of all time" debates than guys with slightly higher career totals.
The Postseason Factor (The "Secret" Yards)
Here is something people often miss: the 13,002 yards only counts regular-season games. If you include the playoffs—where Kelce basically becomes a superhero—the number gets even crazier.
Kelce has 2,039 postseason receiving yards.
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If you add those to his regular-season total, he has actually accounted for 15,041 total NFL yards. He is the only tight end to ever cross the 2,000-yard mark in the playoffs. In fact, he’s second only to Jerry Rice for the most postseason receiving yards in NFL history, regardless of position.
What’s Next for No. 87?
The big question now isn't just about the yards he has, but whether he’ll add any more.
Following the loss to the Raiders in early January 2026, Kelce has been pretty vague about retirement. On the New Heights podcast, he joked with his brother Jason about being "officially jobless" for the offseason, but he also mentioned that he still loves the "physical aspect" of the game.
There’s a lot of noise. Some people think the Taylor Swift factor and a potential wedding mean he’s done. Others point out that he’s only 45 yards away from being 2nd all-time and think there’s no way he walks away that close to a milestone.
Decision Timeline
Usually, these guys decide by March when free agency and draft prep start heating up. The Chiefs are in a tight spot with the salary cap, and if Kelce comes back, it would likely be on a one-year, "team-friendly" deal.
What you can do now:
Keep a close eye on the transaction wire over the next few weeks. If you’re a stats nerd, keep the number 45 in your head—that is the exact amount of yardage Kelce needs to become the second-most productive tight end to ever put on a pair of cleats. You might also want to check out his latest book with Jason, No Dumb Questions, which they just announced on their podcast. It won't give you more stats, but it'll give you a better look at the man behind the 13,000 yards.
Quick Stats Summary
- Total Career Receiving Yards: 13,002
- 2025 Season Yards: 851
- All-Time TE Rank: 3rd (45 yards behind Jason Witten)
- Postseason Yards: 2,039 (NFL Record for TEs)
- Career Touchdowns: 82
If he suits up in September 2026, expect that #2 spot to fall by halftime of Week 1.