Travis Kelce contract details: Chiefs make tight end league's highest-paid with 2-year extension

Edward Sutelan

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Travis Kelce contract details: Chiefs make tight end league's highest-paid with 2-year extension image

Travis Kelce won't be saying so long, Kansas City, any time soon.

The Chiefs inked the nine-time Pro Bowler to a two-year extension, reportedly making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Kelce has spent all 11 seasons of his NFL career with the Chiefs, and has been among the league's most dangerous pass-catchers. He has had seven 1,000-yard seasons, and has the most receiving yards of any player in Kansas City since Patrick Mahomes became the starter.

MORE: What is Jason Kelce's new job?

"Back at it again, baby," Kelce said in a video posted to X by the Chiefs. "Feels good to be in KC. I remember coming here 12 years ago, man, 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. Getting fired up for this year. Just got up on the field with the boys, dog gone we're back at it, baby. Chiefs forever."

Here's what you need to know about the new contract for Kelce.

Travis Kelce contract details

Kelce signed a two-year extension with the Chiefs. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported he will receive $34.25 added to his contract, with more money vesting each year of the contract.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported there will be $17 million guaranteed in 2024 and most of 2025 will be guaranteed on day three of the 2025 league year.

The Giants' Darren Waller is currently the highest-paid by average annual value at $17 million per year after signing a three-year, $51 million deal with the Raiders, according to Spotrac. Based on 2024 cap hits, the Ravens' Mark Andrews has the highest total coming at $16.9 million. The Browns' David Njoku is lined up to make the most cash at $14.5 million, per Spotrac.

CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones speculated the contract, which runs through the 2027 season, will cover the remainder of Kelce's NFL career. Kelce is heading into his age-35 campaign, and will be 38 in the last year of this extension.

Highest-paid tight ends in NFL

Here's a look at the highest-paid tight ends by average annual value, per Spotrac:

Rank Player Team AAV
1 Travis Kelce Chiefs $17.2 million
2 Darren Waller Giants $17 million
3 T.J. Hockenson Vikings $16.5 million
4 George Kittle 49ers $15 million
5 Dallas Goedert Eagles $14.3 million
6 Mark Andrews Ravens $14 million
7 Evan Engram Jaguars $13.8 million
8 David Njoku Browns $13.7 million
9 Cole Kmet Bears $12.5 million
10 Dalton Schultz Texans $12 million

These will be the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL in 2024, according to Spotrac:

Rank Player Team Total cash
1 David Njoku Browns $14.5 million
2 Dallas Goedert Eagles $14.3 million
3 George Kittle 49ers $14 million
4 Dalton Schultz Texans $13 million
  Travis Kelce Chiefs $13 million
6 Darren Waller Giants $12 million
  Noah Fant Seahawks $12 million
8 Mark Andrews Ravens $11 million
9 Evan Engram Jaguars $10.5 million
  Hunter Henry Patriots $10.5 million
  T.J. Hockenson Vikings $10.5 million

Travis Kelce stats

Kelce will end his career as one of, if not, the most dominant pass-catching tight ends in league history. He has seven seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards, more than any other tight end in NFL history. Rob Gronkowski, Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez are all tied for fourth.

Heading into the 2024 season, Kelce trails only Gonzalez (15,127), Jason Witten (13,046) and Antonio Gates (11,841) in career receiving yards with his 11,328. He also ranks tied for fifth in receiving touchdowns with Witten (74), behind Gates (116), Gonzalez (111), Gronkowski (92) and Jimmy Graham (89). Additionally, his 907 catches are fourth behind Gonzalez (1,325), Witten (1,228) and Gates (955).

Year G Rec Yds TD
2013 1 0 0 0
2014 16 67 862 5
2015 16 72 875 5
2016 16 85 1125 4
2017 15 83 1038 8
2018 16 103 1336 10
2019 16 97 1229 5
2020 15 105 1416 11
2021 16 92 1125 9
2022 17 110 1338 12
2023 15 93 984 5
Career 159 907 11328 74

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.