Kelce signs new deal, reportedly becomes top-paid TE
The Kansas City Chiefs signed tight end Travis Kelce to a new contract, the team announced Monday.
Kelce will earn $34.25 million over a two-year deal, reports NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. His $17.125-million average annual salary will make him the NFL's highest-paid tight end.
Clarification on Travis Kelce’s contract: It’s a new two-year, $34.25 million deal, replacing the two years and $30.25M he had left on his old deal. So he’s under contract through 2025, not 2027. Apologies for the miscommunication.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2024
Kelce previously ranked fourth among tight ends with a $14.3-million average annual salary, according to Spotrac. Darren Waller of the New York Giants topped the position at $17 million.
Kelce is the most productive tight end of his era, having eclipsed 1,000 yards seven times in his career. The 34-year-old caught 93 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns in 15 appearances in 2023. He then helped Kansas City win another Super Bowl by leading the team in catches, yards, and touchdown receptions in the postseason.
The nine-time Pro Bowler has won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs alongside coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Kelce battled a knee injury in 2023, leading to speculation he might retire, but he said in February that he was committed to helping the Chiefs achieve a historic three-peat in 2024. Mahomes reacted to Kelce's new deal Monday on social media:
I told yall I’ll never let him leave!! Congrats my guy! @tkelce https://t.co/9sqkZY8mU8
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 29, 2024
Kelce has caught 907 career passes for 11,328 yards and 74 touchdowns since the Chiefs drafted him in the third round in 2013 out of Cincinnati.