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Chiefs' Travis Kelce No Longer Tight End Top Dog?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 8:16 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is in prove-it mode entering 2025, with the future Hall of Famer coming off his worst statistical season since 2013.

With 823 yards and three touchdowns on 97 receptions in 16 games, some suggest that the fuel tank might be running empty.

But Kelce is coming back for a 13th season, and has reportedly lost some weight (no, not 25 pounds) and is ready to give it his best shot after a poor year.

However, is he still considered one of the top tight ends in football?

For Isaiah Stanback, who ranked his top five tight ends entering 2025, Travis comes in at No. 4.

"This dude, all he does is collect rings, you might as well call him Sonic, but Travis Kelce is number four," Stanback said. "We know that this dude has been a dog for a long time, last year we know was a down year from him, but don't count him out. I think he's going to have a nice little resurgence this year."

No longer the top dog?

Sam LaPorta (5), Trey McBride (3), Brock Bowers (2), and George Kittle (1) make up the list.

Bowers, McBride, and Kittle all surpassed 1,000 yards in 2024, and all had more touchdowns than Travis, so it makes sense to have him at No. 4, but we can't imagine that will sit too well with No. 87.

While he was already motivated by how the 2024 season ended, now Kelce, thanks to Stanback, who does predict a resurgence by the way, now gets more bulletin board material to spur him on in Year 13.

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

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