Travis Kelce becomes Chiefs’ career receptions leader with 7 catches vs. Chargers

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Travis Kelce not solely confirmed that rumors of his demise had been a bit of exaggerated on Sunday, he turned the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ profession receptions chief.

Kelce had seven receptions for 89 yards because the Chiefs rallied for a 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Together with his second catch, he handed Corridor of Fame tight finish Tony Gonzalez for the franchise mark.

Kelce declined to talk with reporters within the locker room after the sport.

Despite the fact that Kelce was off to a gradual begin statistically throughout his first three video games this season, making solely eight catches for 69 yards, coach Andy Reid didn’t put any extra emphasis on Kelce needing a breakout recreation.

“I actually don’t care what anyone thinks, to be trustworthy with you,” Reid mentioned. “I watch what the protection does and the way they respect him, and so I take it off of that. And I watch Trav each day, so I get to see him in how he works, how he by no means needs to return out in observe, within the recreation. He’s all in on a regular basis, so I don’t fear about all that.”

Kansas Metropolis’s huge receivers additionally confirmed their assist once they wore customized Kelce T-shirts throughout pregame warmups.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who attributed Kelce’s gradual begin to the additional consideration he was receiving from opposing defenses, additionally wasn’t shedding a lot sleep over his favourite goal’s early lack of receptions.

“I imply, the entire Kelce factor generally hasn’t been a fear to me,” Mahomes mentioned. “I do know no matter we’d like, he’s going to make performs. And that’s what he did at the moment.”

The nine-time Professional Bowl tight finish made a 38-yard reception on the third play of Kansas Metropolis’s opening drive to tie the file of 916 catches set by Gonzalez over 12 seasons from 1997 to 2008. Kelce then caught a 5-yard cross on the Chiefs’ fourth drive to interrupt the file early in his personal twelfth season with the workforce. He now has 922 receptions.

“They performed fairly a bit of little bit of zone on the market, and Kelce did a pleasant job of simply getting in home windows,” Reid mentioned. “Once they did play man, he was capable of do a pleasant job there. There wasn’t as a lot double-team as possibly he’s seen or settling in on him as a lot as he’s seen. He did superb.”

Taylor Swift wasn’t in attendance at SoFi Stadium to see the newest achievement by her boyfriend, who’s fourth in NFL historical past for receptions by a decent finish. Kelce trails Gonzalez — who completed with 1,325 catches after taking part in 5 seasons for Atlanta following his Chiefs profession — together with Jason Witten and Antonio Gates.

The veteran would possibly must take a good larger function within the champs’ offense after high receiver Rashee Rice injured his proper knee in a collision with Mahomes throughout an interception return. The play began when Mahomes overthrew Kelce downfield, permitting Kristian Fulton to select off the cross.

“With Rashee going out, you’ve obtained to place Kelce again in that state of affairs the place he can get high-volume catches,” Mahomes mentioned. “The Chargers had been taking away a few of the exterior stuff and leaving the center of the sphere open.”

Kelce, who turns 35 on Saturday, is closing in on two extra Kansas Metropolis franchise data.

He has 74 landing receptions, trailing solely Gonzalez’s 77. Kelce’s 77 complete touchdowns are seven behind Priest Holmes’ Chiefs file of 84.

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AP Sports activities Author Joe Reedy contributed to this report.

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