Travis Kelce vs. Jerry Rice playoff stats: How Chiefs star closed gap on once-untouchable NFL records

Bryan Murphy

Travis Kelce vs. Jerry Rice playoff stats: How Chiefs star closed gap on once-untouchable NFL records image

There isn't much left for Travis Kelce to prove in his NFL career.

The Chiefs' star tight end is a two-time Super Bowl champion, nine-time Pro Bowler and is considered to be one of the greatest tight ends to ever hit the gridiron. When the time comes, a gold jacket and bust in Canton are going to be coming Kelce's way. 

With that said, he isn't retiring just yet, meaning there are still more milestones and hardware to earn.

Kelce & Co. are on the verge of another Super Bowl win, as the Chiefs are set to face the 49ers in Super Bowl 58. Another victory for Kansas CIty would mark the franchise's third in a span of five years, solidifying the Chiefs among the NFL's greatest dynasties. 

Kelce's name is already all over the NFL record books. But the 34-year-old isn't done yet. The tight end has been giving Jerry Rice a run for his money when it comes to NFL playoff records, and even has already surpassed one of the wide receiver's longstanding marks. 

Here is more to know about Kelce and Rice's playoff stats in their careers. 

MORE SUPER BOWL 58: TV schedule | Halftime show | Ticket prices

Travis Kelce vs. Jerry Rice playoff stats

Note: NFL all-time rank in parentheses.

  GP Rec Yards TDs
Jerry Rice 29 151 (2nd) 2,245 (1st) 22 (1st)
Travis Kelce 21 156 (1st) 1,810 (2nd) 19 (2nd)

Entering this year's playoffs, Rice held the NFL career playoff records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. However, only two of those records still stand. 

Kelce was seven catches away from surpassing Rice's all-time postseason receptions record entering the AFC championship game against the Ravens. He needed less than one half to move into first place, finishing the contest against Baltimore with 10 catches to bring his total to 156. 

Travis Kelce passes Rice for the MOST postseason receptions in NFL history (152) 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UcHKzcYSGb

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 28, 2024

After the AFC title game, Rice was asked about whether he was upset that Kelce broke his record. The Hall of Famer gave a legendary response.

"I go on social media and saw, 'Jerry Rice is going to go complain about 17 football games or whatever and having so many opportunities in the playoffs on just little short routes and all that stuff,'" Rice said after Kelce broke his record. "It doesn’t matter to me, baby. It’s OK.

"I’ve got plenty of records. You can’t break them all. You can’t break them all, baby. I’ll throw you a bone, I’ll throw you one or two. I’ll throw you a couple."

It's true — it's highly unlikely all of Rice's records will be broken. However, Kelce is within striking distance of a couple more for the postseason. 

The Chiefs tight end right sits behind the NFL's best wide receiver of all time in receiving yards  and playoff receiving touchdowns. He is 435 yards away from tying Rice's record for yards in the postseason and three touchdowns away from tying that record.

It's unclear just how much longer Kelce has in the NFL. At 34 years old, retirement is likely on the horizon in the next few seasons. But he isn't done just yet. Kelce has a chance to close the gap between him and Rice even further with a stellar performance at Super Bowl 58. 

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.