The Kansas City Chiefs and four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce have agreed to a two-year deal, according to CBS Sports senior NFL insider Jonathan Jones. The Chiefs have since announced the news.
This deal replaces the two years and $30.25 million that Kelce, 34, had on his previous contract, according to NFL Media. Although he is still under team control through the 2025 season, the future Hall of Fame tight end will see a $34.25 million salary increase. Kelce now has guaranteed money in 2024 ($17 million) and an average annual value of $17.125 million over the next two seasons ($17 million in 2024, $17.25 million in 2025), according to Sports Illustrated, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league. .
The deal will get Kelce through his age-36 season, opening up the possibility that he plays his entire career with Kansas City.
Chiefs quarterback and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes reacted to the news, saying, “I told you I’ll never let him go!! Congratulations, man!”
Kelce earned his big payday with 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns in 15 regular season games in 2023, as well as 355 yards on 32 receptions with three touchdowns to help the Chiefs repeat as Super Bowl champions.
He’s already known as one of, if not the best, tight ends to ever play the position. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion, four-time First Team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler.
Kelce fielded questions this season about whether this would be his last or if he was thinking about retirement. He officially put those rumors to rest while holding his third Lombardi Trophy, telling the crowd and fans at home: “I’ll see you all next year.”
Another year of Kelce and Mahomes means another year where the Chiefs are among the favorites to win it all. This offseason, the Chiefs took steps to keep some key pieces locked up, signing Head coach Andy Reid to extend contract for several years this keeps him under contract through the 2029 season. General manager Brett Veach and team president Mark Donovan also signed extensions.
After winning two championships in two years, Kelce and the rest of KC are aiming for a three-peat.
His brother Jason Kelce, who is two years older, announced his retirement this offseason, after spending his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles as a star center.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misrepresented the nature of Kelce’s contract. The story has been updated to reflect this correction.
