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

Edward Sutelan

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:

RankPlayerTeamAAV
1Travis KelceChiefs$17.2 million
2Darren WallerGiants$17 million
3T.J. HockensonVikings$16.5 million
4George Kittle49ers$15 million
5Dallas GoedertEagles$14.3 million
6Mark AndrewsRavens$14 million
7Evan EngramJaguars$13.8 million
8David NjokuBrowns$13.7 million
9Cole KmetBears$12.5 million
10Dalton SchultzTexans$12 million

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

RankPlayerTeamTotal cash
1David NjokuBrowns$14.5 million
2Dallas GoedertEagles$14.3 million
3George Kittle49ers$14 million
4Dalton SchultzTexans$13 million
 Travis KelceChiefs$13 million
6Darren WallerGiants$12 million
 Noah FantSeahawks$12 million
8Mark AndrewsRavens$11 million
9Evan EngramJaguars$10.5 million
 Hunter HenryPatriots$10.5 million
 T.J. HockensonVikings$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).

YearGRecYdsTD
20131000
201416678625
201516728755
2016168511254
2017158310388
201816103133610
2019169712295
202015105141611
2021169211259
202217110133812
202315939845
Career1599071132874

Edward Sutelan

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.