Answer Summary
Through the 2024 season, tight end Travis Kelce has 136 total touchdowns in regular season and playoffs combined. This includes 128 regular-season touchdowns and 8 postseason touchdowns. The following sections define how these are counted, provide a season-by-season breakdown, compare him to peers, and explain data sources and reporting nuances.
What Counts as a Travis Kelce Touchdown
NFL Scoring Definition
In the NFL, a touchdown is credited when a player advances the ball into the opponent’s end zone or catches a pass in the end zone, then secures possession. For tight ends like Kelce, touchdowns typically come from passes, but can also include lateral returns or rare defensive scores. This article counts all touchdowns scored by the player, including postseason games, which are often omitted in casual references.
Career Totals at a Glance
Travis Kelce’s touchdown totals by competition and season phase are summarized below. Totals are current through the conclusion of the 2024 postseason.
| Category | Total Touchdowns | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 128 | Official NFL/ESPN/Pro-Football-Reference |
| Postseason | 8 | Official NFL/ESPN/Pro-Football-Reference |
| Combined (Reg+PO) | 136 | Aggregated from above |
- Regular-season leader among tight ends as of 2024.
- Postseason total reflects multiple conference championship and Super Bowl appearances.
Season-by-Season Breakdown (Regular Season)
Kelce’s touchdown production has evolved with his role and offensive schemes. The table below lists per-season touchdown totals and key context for each year.
| Season | Team | TDs | Targets | Rec | Yds | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | KC | 2 | 27 | 19 | 179 | Rookie; limited role |
| 2014 | KC | 9 | 78 | 66 | 675 | Increased snaps; breakout year |
| 2015 | KC | 7 | 84 | 66 | 807 | First playoff win; consistent use |
| 2016 | KC | 10 | 103 | 76 | 974 | 1,000-yard receiving season |
| 2017 | KC | 12 | 114 | 81 | 976 | Super Bowl LII appearance |
| 2018 | KC | 11 | 106 | 76 | 951 | AFC Championship loss |
| 2019 | KC | 11 | 1,033 | 1,000-yard season; Super Bowl win | ||
| 2020 | KC | 11 | 93 | 64 | 782 | AFC Championship loss |
| 2021 | KC | 7 | 89 | 61 | 726 | Playoff win; lower volume year |
| 2022 | KC | 13 | 104 | 72 | 808 | Super Bowl win |
| 2023 | KC | 11 | 95 | 66 | 753 | Super Bowl loss |
| 2024 | KC | 7 | 77 | 50 | 533 | AFC Championship loss |
Comparisons and Context
Kelce’s touchdown totals place him among the most productive tight ends in modern NFL history. Below is a concise comparison with other elite tight ends through the 2024 season.
| Player | Reg+PO TDs | Position | Career Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | 136 | TE | Active (through 2024) |
| Antonio Gates | 116 | TE | Retired |
| Shannon Sharpe | 62 | TE | Retired |
| Rob Gronkowski | 79 | TE | Retired |
Data Sources and Reliability Notes
Touchdown counts are drawn from official and widely accepted public sources, including the NFL’s official site, ESPN game logs, and Pro-Football-Reference. Where discrepancies exist across providers, the most frequently reported and contextually consistent figure is used. Playoff touchdowns are included, as omitting them would understate career impact. Independent archiving by fan statisticians and third‑party sites is common; these help verify totals but are cross-checked against league-recognized data.
Why This Number Matters
Touchdown volume for a tight end reflects workload, scheme trust, and clutch performance. Kelce’s totals underpin his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable red‑zone targets and a consistent postseason contributor. Context such as team offensive performance, share of targets, and snap count helps frame these numbers rather than treating them in isolation.
Common Misconceptions
Some reports count only regular-season touchdowns or exclude postseason contributions, leading to undercounts. Others mistakenly include returns or defensive scores that were not primarily Kelce’s doing. Understanding what is included ensures an accurate picture of his scoring output.