Rób Gronkowski thinks Travis Kelce is underpaid

Rob Gronkowski has nothing but love and appreciation for what Travis Kelce is doing for the tight end position in the NFL.

The tight end position has been undergoing quite a metamorphosis in recent years as transcendent athletes like Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce have elevated production and potential at the position to new levels. Now that Kelce himself has taken things a step further, especially in terms of sustained success, Gronk says he’s grateful for what Kelce is doing for those in that role.

For years, Gronk and Kelce were rivals on the field, feeding off of each other’s greatness as they competed to be known as the league’s best tight end. These days, Gronk is retired and enjoying the fruits of his labor while simultaneously appreciating what Kelce is able to do well into his mid-thirties.

Kelce’s greatness is no secret in these parts as Chiefs fans know they’re watching a future Hall of Fame player operate in his prime. Kelce just completed a career year with high marks for both catches and touchdowns while turning in his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season.

On the latest episode of New Heights, the Kelce brothers—Travis and Jason—were joined by Gronk to discuss his prolific career, his championships with the New England Patriots, and playing for Bill Belichick. The conversation eventually turned to their rivalry to be the NFL’s best TE but Gronk had nothing but love for Kelce at this stage.

No one should feel bad for Kelce financially given that he’s scheduled to make $14 million this season, but Gronk says Kelce is woefully underpaid for what he brings to the table.  “Just now I’m appreciating your greatness and what you’re doing for the position,” he said.

“You’re getting the tight ends on the map. You’re making, I don’t know, $17 [million] or whatever you’re making this year and I still think you’re underpaid. I mean, you probably have more yards than any receiver of the past five years, even Davante Adams, and he’s making $29-30 per year. So it’s just great what you’re doing putting everyone on the map as well and continuing that position to greatness.”

Gronk is not wrong. Kelce is providing Davante-like production for half the cost just because he plays TE instead of WR. While that works out well for the Chiefs on the books, Gronk and company can only hope that Kelce’s notoriety and production will lead to an equalization of what players at tight end can make compared to their fellow wideouts.

You can watch the full interview with Rob Gronkowski on the latest New Heights podcast episode below: