Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

NFL Announces Travis Kelce Ranking Amid Chiefs Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Feb 18, 2026 8:51 PM ET

Travis Kelce has now finished his 13th NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs, but 2025 did not go as planned. Coming off a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last year, the Chiefs finished 2025 with a 6-11 record, missing out on the postseason for just the second time since Kelce joined the team in 2013.

Kelce still had a strong season at age 36. The former Cincinnati Bearcats tight end played in all 17 games in 2025, finishing with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns. He was also named to his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl. However, one play in particular from Kelce’s 2025 season caught the NFL’s attention.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts during the second half of an NFL game.Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Early in the third quarter of Kansas City’s 22-9 Week 3 win over the New York Giants, quarterback Patrick Mahomes hit Kelce for a 13-yard gain, picking up a first down. But to get open, Kelce ran a sharp route that allowed him to juke Giants safety Dane Belton, securing the catch and picking up a few extra yards with his feet.

And on Wednesday, the NFL revealed its top ten routes of the 2025 season, listing Kelce's 13-yard catch against New York at No. 5. Rounding out the rest of the top ten is as follows:

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (again)
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston

"The top 10 routes of the 2025 season ," the NFL wrote on X.

The top 10 routes of the 2025 season pic.twitter.com/1lBXdH4ND5
— NFL (@NFL) February 18, 2026

As the Chiefs await Kelce’s decision on whether to hang up his cleats or return for a 14th season, they will begin reshaping their roster for the 2026 NFL season, starting with free agency on March 11.

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

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