Chiefs make Kelce highest-paid TE in NFL
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is getting a hefty raise.
The Chiefs and Kelce have agreed to terms on a two-year extension, a person close to the situation informed USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the extension.
The extension adds two years and $34.25 million to his existing contract. The new deal makes him the highestpaid tight end in the NFL and ties Kelce in Kansas City through the 2027 season.
Kelce elevated himself to Kansas City’s top pass catcher and arguably the best tight end in the NFL since the club drafted him in the third round of the 2013 draft. The nine-time Pro Bowler has caught a pass in 158 straight games, the longest streak in franchise history.
The 34-year-old led K.C. in targets (121), catches (93) and receiving yards (984) in 2023. He had a team-high 32 catches, 355 receiving yards and three TD catches in last season’s postseason run that ended with a Super Bowl 58 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Entering his 12th season, Kelce has been instrumental during the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl titles in the span of five years and is quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 pass-catching target.
Kelce has compiled 907 catches, 11,328 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns in 159 regular-season games – all in a Chiefs uniform. Kelce’s career receiving yards are the most by any Chiefs player and the fourth most by an NFL tight end. His career touchdowns are the second most in franchise history.
It’s been a notable offseason for the Kelce family. Kelce’s older brother, Jason, retired this offseason after spending 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. While Jason heads out the door and into the broadcast booth, Travis is set to receive a big bump in salary.
The extension makes it likely he’ll end his Hall of Fame-worthy career in Kansas City.