The Kansas City Chiefs have locked up their star tight end, Travis Kelce, with a new 2-year, $34.25 million contract extension that will keep him in Kansas City through the 2027 season.
The lucrative deal makes the 34+-year-old the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL, according to reports from ESPN and NFL Network.
Kelce, a 9-time Pro Bowler and 3-time Super Bowl champion celebrated the news on social media: “It feels good to be in KC. I remember coming here 12 years ago. It’s an honor and a pleasure and I can’t wait to get after it these next two years, but no better than right now. I’m getting fired up for this year.”
The contract cements Kelce’s legacy as arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history. In last year’s Super Bowl run alone, he broke the all-time postseason record for receptions with 165 catches. His 907 career receptions and 11,328 receiving yards both rank 4th among tight ends in league history.
Kelce’s resume is packed with mind-boggling achievements:
- 7 seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards (most ever by a TE)
- 7 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (TE record)
- 1,416 receiving yards in 2022 (single-season TE record)
- 37 games with over 100 receiving yards (TE record)
His Chiefs teammate and longtime quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrated the news, tweeting “I told ya’ll I’ll never let him leave!! Congrats my guy!”
I told yall I’ll never let him leave!! Congrats my guy! @tkelce https://t.co/9sqkZY8mU8
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 29, 2024
Off the field, Kelce has become a mainstream celebrity, dating pop superstar Taylor Swift and co-hosting the popular “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason, formerly an All-Pro lineman with the Philadelphia Eagles.
By locking up the future Hall of Famer for two more years, the Chiefs ensure their prolific passing attack will remain explosive even as Kelce enters his mid-30s.
His chemistry with Mahomes has powered Kansas City’s offensive juggernaut to three Super Bowl appearances and two championships over the last four seasons.
Retaining Kelce was a top priority for the Chiefs this offseason after their star received interest from other teams seeking an elite receiving threat at tight end.
With a rising salary cap, Kansas City managed to make Kelce the highest-paid player at his position while also extending defensive tackle Chris Jones on a 4-year, $80 million deal.
Those two moves solidify the core of the Chiefs’ perennial contender as Mahomes enters his prime years.
With Kelce, Mahomes’ top target, locked in alongside a bolstered defense led by Jones, Kansas City has positioned itself for an extended window to compete for more Super Bowl titles over the next few seasons.
Kelce’s age and recent injury history (he underwent ankle surgery after the Super Bowl) made the exact value and length of his new deal a closely watched negotiation.
In the end, the Chiefs committed over $17 million per year in new money to their all-time great pass-catcher.
With marquee veterans like Kelce staying put and a promising rookie class led by defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs reloaded their roster for another championship push in 2023.
And having their future Hall of Fame tight end in the fold provides a major boost as Mahomes aims to cement his own all-time great legacy.
