Travis Kelce reached a major milestone on Sunday, catching the 84th touchdown of his career to break the Kansas City Chiefs‘ franchise record previously held by Priest Holmes but despite the achievement, the tight end showed little enthusiasm on November 16.
The 36-year-old was unconcerned with the record as the Chiefs fell 22-19 to AFC West rivals Denver Broncos as their chances of retaining their divisional title and minimal expectations of reaching the NFL Playoffs took a blow.
The three-time Super Bowl champion declined to discuss the touchdown during postgame media interactions, reflecting his frustration over the team’s disappointing performance in Colorado.
“If you’re going to ask me about the record, I could care less about that right now,” Kelce told reporters. His focus was clearly on the team’s 5-5 record rather than personal accolades as the season threatens to slip away.
The record-breaking touchdown came on a short pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which Kelce ran 21 yards into the end zone. The score briefly gave the Chiefs a 19-16 lead, showing flashes of their competitive potential despite eventual defeat.
Kelce‘s lack of excitement highlights a growing frustration in the locker room. Even as he surpassed a legendary figure in Priest Holmes, the tight end appeared more concerned with the broader issues affecting the Chiefs’ playoff chances.
His personal milestone, which would normally be celebrated, was overshadowed by the team’s inability to finish strong. Sunday’s defeat underscores the Chiefs‘ challenges in converting opportunities into victories during a season marked by inconsistency.
Patrick Mahomes responds to Broncos set back
The 84th touchdown also solidifies Kelce‘s status as one of the greatest tight ends in franchise history, with his career achievements reflecting both durability and consistent production.
But the loss continued a troubling trend for Kansas City, marking the fifth one-score defeat this season. After last year’s flawless record in tight games, the team has struggled to maintain consistency in contests decided by eight points or fewer.
Mahomes addressed the team’s struggles following the loss, noting that Kansas City has been unable to replicate last year’s success in close games as the quarterback emphasized the need for consistency.
“I think we’re really talented and we’ve got a lot of great players,” Mahomes said. “But it’s about being more consistent.
“I think it starts with me. There’s times where I’m firing and we’re moving the ball down the field at ease.
“But there’s times where we go in spurts where I miss a throw or a [pass] protection call. We haven’t been consistent enough to win games. It starts with me.”
Against the Broncos, Mahomes completed 29 of 45 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown to Kelce, but also threw an interception at Mile High at Empower Field. The statistics reflect both his talent and the team’s struggles to convert drives into victories consistently.
For the season, Mahomes has 2,625 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, along with 288 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 48 carries.
Losses to teams like the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and now the Broncos illustrate the challenges, as they continue to slip to teams they could have to beat in the AFC side of the NFL Playoffs (as well as the NFC Eagles.)
Kansas City will next face the Indianapolis Colts on November 23, an opportunity to turn the season around. Both Kelce and Mahomes are expected to play pivotal roles as the team attempts to rebound and regain momentum in the AFC.
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