The Kansas City Chiefs have given Travis Kelce a long-term extension.
In case there was any doubt at this point, Travis Kelce will retire as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. With a new long-term contract extension, the All-Pro tight end is expected to stick around K.C. for the next six seasons, per ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler.
Earlier on Thursday, word leaked that George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers had received a market-setting deal for tight ends worth up to $75 million over five seasons. Kelce, who was being paid an average of just under $9.4 million annually on his current deal, will reportedly receive $14 to $15 annually in four new years on the extension, per Ian Rapoport.
Kelce set an NFL record last season for most consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards receiving by a tight end with four. He has made five straight Pro Bowls and four consecutive All-Pro honors (either first or second team) and he was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
After missing his rookie season due to injury, Kelce has averaged 84 catches for 1,077 yards and 6 touchdowns every year of his career. He’s an incredible talented tight end who, while being the best in the game at his position, still seems very much in his prime. Kelce is a mismatch against every NFL defense and is a key component to the Chiefs offensive machine.
Kelce was in the fourth season of a five-year, $46 million deal he signed back in 2016 under then-general manager John Dorsey. Now he’s being rewarded by Brett Veach with a deal that should keep him in Kansas City for the duration of his career.
Kelce, who will be 31-years-old in October, has 507 catches in his career for 6,465 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns.