The Kansas City Chiefs are fortunate to have two of the greatest players at their respective positions on their roster. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have won three Super Bowls together and have racked up a high number of individual accolades in the process.
Mahomes has made the Pro Bowl in each of his six seasons as the Chiefs starting quarterback. In addition, he has won two NFL MVP Awards, three Super Bowl MVP’s, Offensive Player of the Year, and has been named an All-Pro three times.
For his part, Kelce has been named to the Pro Bowl nine times and an All-Pro seven times. He was also named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2010’s Team.
Kansas City Chiefs Stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce Received 99 Rankings in Madden ’25
While Madden ’25 has not been released yet, the game is slowly leaking the overall rankings of players to start the 2024 NFL season. Recently, it was revealed that both Mahomes and Kelce have, once again, been named to the 99 Club.
Most #99Club appearances for a TE in Madden NFL History 👑
Welcome back @tkelce ‼️ #Madden25 pic.twitter.com/K89YpIygWR
— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) August 1, 2024
As noted in the post above, Kelce has now set the record for most appearances in the 99 Club by a tight end in the game’s history,
Did Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce Deserve a 99 Rating in Madden ’25?
There is no question that Kelce, like his brother (former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce), is going to go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. He is one of the best tight ends of all time and arguably the best of his generation.
However, there are some questions as to why he was given a 99 overall rating this year. Kelce did not have a bad year in 2023, but he did not have 1,000 yards receiving for the first time since 2015. He also was not name to any All-Pro Teams, also for the first time since 2015.
With stats of 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns, there is no question that Kelce deserved a high rating. But 99?
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle had 65 receptions, which of course is fewer than Kelce. However, Kittle also had 1,020 yards and six touchdowns, which is more than Kelce.
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram had very similar numbers to Kelce’s: 114 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns.
One has to assume that Kelce’s 99 rating has more to do with the notoriety of his name rather than where he stands among tight ends currently.
He is certainly one of the best, but he should not be the highest rated tight end in Madden.