The Kansas City Chiefs endured a frustrating 2025 campaign, but even in a season that fell short of expectations, Travis Kelcedelivered flashes of the craft that has defined his career.
At 36, Kelce completed his 13th NFL season, playing all 17 games and finishing with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns. The Chiefs, however, struggled collectively, ending the year 6-11 and missing the playoffs for just the second time since Kelce arrived in 2013.
Yet one moment from early in the year stood out enough to earn league-wide recognition.
In Week 3 against the New York Giants, quarterback Patrick Mahomes found Kelce for a 13-yard gain on a critical third-quarter play. To create separation, Kelce executed a sharp break that left safety Dane Belton off balance.
The route secured a first down and added extra yards after the catch, a small but telling example of his precision.
On Wednesday, the NFL unveiled its ranking of the top 10 routes from the 2025 season. Kelce’s move against New York came in at No. 5.
“The top 10 routes of the 2025 season,” the NFL wrote on X.
The rest of the list featured a collection of standout wide receivers, including Calvin Austin III of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams, DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears, Tutu Atwell, Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Future remains unsettled
While the route ranking offers a reminder of Kelce’s technical skill, the broader conversation in Kansas City centers on what comes next. Retirement rumors have swirled as the veteran tight end weighs whether to pursue a 14th season.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are preparing for free agency, which opens March 11. After a 6-11 finish, roster changes are inevitable.
Kelce’s Week 3 highlight may not have altered the trajectory of the 2025 season, but it reinforced a point that has followed him throughout his career: even as the team’s fortunes fluctuate, his ability to create separation in tight spaces remains among the league’s best.
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