Dayton Daily News

Chiefs sign Kelce to new 2-year, $34.25 million contract

- By Dave Skretta

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs signed Travis Kelce to a new two-year, $34.25 million contract Monday, wrapping up their star tight end as they attempt to win an unpreceden­ted third straight Super Bowl.

Kelce’s deal with Kansas City includes $17 million guaranteed for 2024 and $11.25 million guaranteed by the third day of the 2025 league year, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because those details hadn’t been released.

While not disclosing the financial details, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Kelce would remain the league’s highest-paid tight end, adding that it was a priority to “adjust his contract.”

The 34-year-old Kelce signed a four-year, $57.25 million extension with Kansas City in 2020, which followed a $46 million, five-year deal that he signed in 2016.

“Hard to put into words what Travis means to this organizati­on and this city,” Veach told local reporters on Zoom. “Just a really special day and moment for this organizati­on to once again recognize arguably one of the greatest tight ends to ever do it.”

Kelce, who was chosen by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 draft, already is their career leader with 11,328 yards receiving. He needs eight receptions to reach 917 and pass Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for that record, and three touchdown catches would give him 77, dropping Gonzalez to No. 2 on that franchise list.

Most important, Kelce has helped Kansas City win back-to-back Super Bowls and three titles in the past five years.

“Every now and then you have one of these guys that are outliers,” Veach said, “and Travis is one of those players.”

It’s not just on the field where Kelce is a star, either.

His relationsh­ip with pop icon Taylor Swift has taken him to another level of celebrity, while appearance­s on shows such as “Saturday Night Live” have helped to make him a household name.

 ?? FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP ?? Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is more than just a star on the field thanks to his romantic relationsh­ip with music superstar Taylor Swift.
FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is more than just a star on the field thanks to his romantic relationsh­ip with music superstar Taylor Swift.

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