The Kansas City Chiefs ensured that star tight end Travis Kelce will end his legendary career in Red and White, as the team signed him to a contract extension on Monday.
As reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Kelce inked a $34.3 million two-year contract deal that will keep him under contract until the 2027 campaign. By the time he hangs up his cleats, his career earnings will have above $108.5 million thanks to his $13 million contract for the 2024 campaign and his $17.3 million compensation for the 2025 campaign, according to Over The Cap. Monday’s extension will increase that amount to over $142.8 million.
Throughout the 2023 season, there have been rumors that Kelce was getting close to retiring. Although he continued to play at a high level, his body was clearly showing signs of wear and tear as he missed two games because of ailments to his neck and knee, and he finished with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2015.
In a November Wall Street Journal interview, the 34-year-old acknowledged that he thinks about retirement “more than anyone could ever imagine.”
“The unease. The suffering. The residual wounds—the ten surgeries I’ve had, which I can still feel today,” he remarked.
But Kelce made it plain that he wasn’t going anywhere after helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl for the second time in a row. When asked if he would be back in 2024, he said, “Hell yeah,” and added, “I want that three-peat,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Given his numerous records at the position, Kelce is without a doubt one of the best tight ends to have ever played in the NFL. Right now, he leads all tight ends in the NFL in receiving yards (11,328), receptions (907), and touchdowns (74).
As of right now, Kelce is the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, and when he hangs up his jersey, his bank account will be in excellent form.
