Travis Kelce sets Chiefs’ touchdown record and surpasses 1,000 catches for his career in win over Steelers

Travis Kelce set the Kansas City Chiefs record for most receiving touchdowns in a career with his fourth-quarter score from Patrick Mahomes in the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. 

Kelce surpassed the record held by fellow tight end Tony Gonzalez with 76, with his 77th score helping clinch the AFC’s No 1 seed in the postseason with the Chiefs now holding a 15-1 record. 

The 35-year-old also had his 1000th career catch in the game, with Kelce still being third all-time far behind Gonzalez and former Cowboys star Jason Witten on that list.

To set the all-time Chiefs record, a typical Patrick Mahomes connection to Kelce set the tight end’s name in the record books. 

Mahomes scrambled to his right to avoid Pittsburgh defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and lobbed the ball to the end zone where Kelce was wide open behind the defensive backs for an easy touchdown. 

To put a tiny damper on the record-breaking catch, Kelce was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for dunking the ball through the uprights, Gonzalez’s signature celebration. 

Kelce has eight catches for 84 yards in the game, bringing his season total of receptions to 97. He also has 1,004 catches in his career. 

Gonzalez has still outpaced Kelce in that category with 1,325 career receptions. Witten is in between the Chiefs’ legends with 1,228 catches. 

Kelce and Mahomes will likely sit during the Chiefs regular season finale next week on the road against the Broncos with homefield advantage secured through the AFC Championship.  

Kelce’s statement game comes amid building criticism for the 35-year-old that his form is dropping. 

Yet, he’s the main pass-catcher for the best team in the NFL. Any Chiefs fan would take a 15-1 record if Kelce’s stats slip a little.