The Kansas City Chiefs finalized a new contract with Travis Kelce on Monday, securing the star tight end for the next two years with a deal valued at $34.25 million, as per an insider familiar with the agreement. The contract aims to maintain Kelce’s presence as the team pursues an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
Under the terms, Kelce’s contract ensures $17 million guaranteed for the 2024 season and $11.25 million guaranteed by the third day of the 2025 league year. These specifics were disclosed by an unnamed source, as they hadn’t been officially announced.
Although the financial particulars were not disclosed, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach emphasized Kelce’s status as the highest-paid tight end in the league. Veach stated that it was crucial to “adjust his contract” to reflect Kelce’s value to the team.
Kelce, aged 34, previously signed a four-year extension worth $57.25 million with Kansas City in 2020, following a five-year deal worth $46 million inked in 2016.
Speaking to local reporters via Zoom, Veach expressed the significance of Kelce’s contributions to the team and the city, calling it a “special day” for the organization to acknowledge one of the greatest tight ends in the sport’s history.
Kelce, picked by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 draft, leads their all-time receiving yards with 11,328. He’s close to breaking two records held by Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez: needing eight more receptions to surpass 917 and three more touchdowns to reach 77, dropping Gonzalez to second on the list.
Kelce’s contributions helped Kansas City win two consecutive Super Bowls and three titles in the last five years.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach praised Kelce’s exceptional talent, noting his early commitment to offseason training.
Kelce’s fame extends beyond the field. His friendship with pop star Taylor Swift and appearances on shows like “Saturday Night Live” have boosted his celebrity status. He co-hosts a popular podcast with his brother Jason Kelce, a former Eagles center, and will soon host a quiz show on Amazon Prime.
Despite his off-field success, Kelce’s reputation as one of the game’s premier tight ends was established on the field.
Kelce sat out the first game of last season due to a knee injury and skipped the regular-season finale when the Chiefs were already set for the playoffs. As a result, he fell short of extending his streak of 1,000-yard seasons to eight, finishing with 984 yards on 93 catches and five touchdowns.
During the playoffs, Kelce’s performance soared. He made significant contributions in key games: seven catches for 71 yards in a win against Miami, five catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Buffalo, 11 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in the AFC title game in Baltimore, and nine catches for 93 yards in the Super Bowl against San Francisco.
Throughout, Kelce dismissed rumors of retirement, stating his love for the game: “I have no reason to stop playing football. I love it.”
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged the rarity of players excelling into their 30s but described Kelce as one of those exceptional cases, noting his consistent performance without signs of decline.
Kelce’s contract extension follows the recent announcements of contract extensions for Chiefs’ general manager Brett Veach, coach Andy Reid, and team president Mark Donovan. While the duration of these deals was not disclosed, they are anticipated to keep the core leadership intact until the 2029 season.
Patrick Mahomes, whom Kelce considers a close friend, is locked in until the 2031 season. Additionally, All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, another key player, signed a lucrative five-year deal worth $158.75 million in March.
In addition to recognizing Kelce’s exceptional performance, Veach highlighted the upcoming need for contract extensions for several young players in the coming years.
He emphasized the importance of resolving Kelce’s contract early to shift focus to the development of younger talent.
“We have some promising young players on the horizon, and after the draft, we’ll address their contracts,” Veach stated. “Kelce’s significance to the team is evident, and securing his contract allows us to concentrate on nurturing the next generation of talent.”
