Denny Medley, Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Reacts to Travis Kelce News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 6:56 PM ET

Coming into the NFL Week 18 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was the center of attention. Beyond the fact that it was possibly the final game of Kelce's NFL career — his contract expires at the end of the season, leaving him with a potential retirement decision — there was also some history on the line.

Kelce, 36, came into the game with 12,990 career receiving yards. Only two tight ends in NFL history had previously eclipsed the 13,000-yard mark: Tony Gonzalez (15,127) and Jason Witten (13,046). The Chiefs star also had the opportunity to pass Witten for second-place on the all-time TE receiving yards list with a 57-yard performance against the Raiders.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) after the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

With 10:30 remaining in the third quarter, Kelce crossed 13,000 yards in his career with a 5-yard reception from Chiefs quarterback Shane Buechele. Kelce (192 games) reached the milestone faster than Gonzalez (232 games) and Witten (259).

It was only right that one of the first people to react on social media was the quarterback who helped Kelce rack up most of those yards, Patrick Mahomes.

"13K!" Mahomes wrote on X.

13K!
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 4, 2026

Mahomes, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL and LCL in a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, was watching the game at home with his wife, Brittany Mahomes, and their three kids.

“Every season I’ve had with (Kelce) these last few years I try to cherish because you never know,” Mahomes said in Week 14 of Kelce's uncertain NFL future.

“He’ll have the option to do whatever he wants to do after the season,” Mahomes continued. “I know one thing, is he will give everything he has the rest of the season.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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