Travis Kelce's Legendary Career as a Tight End in His 30s

The Incredible Career of Travis Kelce, Now in His 30s

Travis Kelce has become one of the premier tight ends in the NFL, putting together an impressive career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Having just turned 33 years old in October 2022, Kelce is still playing at an elite level even as he enters his 30s.

Born in 1989 in Westlake, Ohio, Kelce played college football at the University of Cincinnati before being drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Chiefs. Initially serving as a backup, Kelce had a breakout season in 2014 when he recorded 67 receptions for 862 yards and 5 touchdowns. This marked the beginning of his emergence as one of the top tight ends in the league.

The Stats: Kelce's Ascension to Stardom

Kelce improved on his numbers each of the next two seasons, recording 72 catches for 875 yards in 2015 and 85 catches for 1,125 yards in 2016. His first Pro Bowl selection came in 2016, when he was also named Second Team All-Pro.

The 2017 season is when Kelce really exploded onto the scene. He hauled in 83 passes for 1,038 yards and caught a career-high 8 touchdowns. For the first time, Kelce was widely considered a top 3 tight end in the NFL, alongside veterans like Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen.

Over the next four seasons from 2018-2021, Kelce proved his stardom was no fluke. He recorded 1,000+ receiving yards and 85+ receptions in each of those campaigns, garnering First Team All-Pro honors in 2018 and 2020. Kelce was also part of the Chiefs team that won Super Bowl LIV after the 2019 season.

Kelce vs. Gronkowski: Tight End Dominance

For several years, Kelce and Rob Gronkowski were clearly the top two tight ends in football. Both huge in stature yet nimble and athletic, the two reinvented the possibilities of the position. Kelce has put up stats right in line with Gronkowski at his prime despite playing in 10 fewer games so far in his career.

Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season having completed a Hall of Fame career. With Gronk out of the picture, Kelce's claim as the NFL's premier tight end has gone unchallenged the past few seasons. He figures to continue putting up huge numbers in Patrick Mahomes' high-powered Kansas City offense.

Approaching His Mid-30s, How Much is Left in the Tank?

Travis Kelce turned 33 years old in October 2022, right in the middle of the current NFL season. Given the physical demands of playing tight end and the typical longevity of players at the position, Kelce is definitely on the back end of his career.

That said, Kelce has shown no signs of slowing down so far in 2022. Through the first 12 games of the season, he again leads the Chiefs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. His production is right in line with his stats from the previous 4-5 seasons. Kelce is still on track to surpass 1,000 yards and haul in 85+ catches again this year.

Tight ends have been known to remain effective well into their 30s, and Kelce has avoided major injuries thus far in his career. Provided he stays healthy, there's no reason Kelce can't continue to excel for at least 2-3 more seasons. He and Mahomes should continue terrorizing defenses with their incredible chemistry and timing.

Looking around the league, there are very few up-and-coming tight ends poised to dethrone Kelce anytime soon. Besides maybe San Francisco's George Kittle, the next wave of elite tight ends has yet to fully develop. It's Kelce and then everybody else at the position currently.

Kelce's Lasting Legacy on the Game

When all is said and done, Travis Kelce seems destined for a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio. He will go down as arguably the greatest receiving tight end in NFL history thanks to his combination of size, speed, and athleticism.

Kelce has been a crucial component of Kansas City's offensive explosion over the past half-decade. He and Mahomes should continue etching their names in the record books for at least a couple more seasons. Their incredible chemistry and timing make the duo nearly indefensible.

Having just turned 33, Travis Kelce is still playing at an elite level that stacks up with the best seasons of his career. Never showing any signs of slowing down, Kelce remains primed to break more records and compete for more Super Bowl titles. His lasting legacy on revolutionizing the tight end position will be appreciated for generations.

FAQs

How old is Travis Kelce?

Travis Kelce was born in October 1989 and is currently 33 years old. He turned 33 in October 2022 during the ongoing NFL season.

What are some of Travis Kelce's career stats and accomplishments?

Kelce is a 7-time Pro Bowler and 4-time First Team All-Pro. He has recorded five straight 1,000+ yard seasons from 2017-2021. Kelce won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs and holds the NFL record for most seasons with 1,000+ yards by a tight end.

How does Kelce compare to other great tight ends?

Kelce's stats match up very favorably with Rob Gronkowski and Tony Gonzalez, two of the best ever at the position. He has a good chance to set the career records for receptions and yards by a tight end.

What makes Kelce such a unique and dangerous player?

At 6'5" and 260 lbs, Kelce has an elite blend of size and athleticism. He is too big for defensive backs to cover but has the speed to get past linebackers. Kelce also has incredible chemistry with Patrick Mahomes.

How much longer can Kelce play at an elite level?

Kelce has shown no signs of slowing down despite being in his 30s. If he stays healthy, he could easily have 2-4 more highly productive seasons left in his career.