KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As fireworks lit up the night sky and fans erupted in cheers at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrated a remarkable milestone for his trusted tight end, Travis Kelce. In a dominant 28-7 victory over the Washington Commanders, Kelce caught a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, marking his 83rd career touchdown for the franchise. This achievement tied him with former running back Priest Holmes for the most total touchdowns in Kansas City Chiefs history.
“I just cherish these moments, man, being able to play at Arrowhead,” Kelce expressed. “This place is special, man, and I love it here. In terms of the historical stuff, I’m still looking at the next game and the next catch and trying to get better.”
The victory over Washington marked the Chiefs’ fifth win in their last six games, with each victory coming by a margin of at least ten points. Kelce had a standout performance, leading the team with six receptions on eight targets, accumulating 99 yards.
“He’s just the true Chiefs’ Chief,” Mahomes praised Kelce’s continued excellence. “He’s the guy that’s been here through the whole thing, being here with Coach [Andy] Reid the entire time. He helped set the culture of what it means to play for Coach Reid and for Kansas City. I was able to come in and have that guy to rely on.”
Mahomes made a purposeful effort to commemorate Kelce’s record-tying touchdown by ensuring he got the ball afterward. Notably, this dynamic duo has now connected for 75 touchdowns in their tenure, ranking them among the three greatest quarterback-tight end pairs in NFL history, alongside Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski and Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates.
Despite a shaky start that resulted in a 7-7 tie at halftime, due in part to two turnovers, the Chiefs rebounded in the second half. Kelce reflected on the needed adjustments after the first half, stating, “When we decided in the second half to just rally together and match [the Commanders’] energy – play strong, play fast, and play physical – we ended up putting some points on the board.”
Kelce’s ability to exploit zone coverage was evident throughout the game, as he thrived against the Commanders’ defensive schemes. This versatility allowed him to strategically create separation despite the initial challenges the Chiefs faced.
Receiver Rashee Rice acknowledged Kelce’s leadership, sharing, “The first half was slow, and me and him had a talk as soon as we came out before the second half started. He didn’t have to say too much, but just for him to say I need to get going, it still meant a lot.”
Kelce concluded his day not only by celebrating his place in Chiefs history but also by enjoying the game that continues to fuel his passion. “I’m just the old, lucky dog still able to do this thing, man,” he quipped. “I’m putting on the pads like I’m 15 years old again. I’m loving every single bit of it.”
As the Chiefs move forward this season, fans can look forward to Kelce’s continued contributions and the potential for more historic moments from this exceptional player.