NFL fans were taken aback by the contract Travis Kelce signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The legendary tight end didn’t just sign a one-year deal. The deal is for three years.
Contract Details Clarified
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport clarified that the deal is for three years. It’s a $54.735 million deal that can be worth up to $57.735 million. The average is $18.245 million. Agent Mike Simon completed the deal.
Year 1 is $12 million plus $3 million in incentives.
Kelce’s Retirement Decision
At his age, Kelce is going year-to-year on his retirement decision regardless of his contract status.
Whether he’s on a one-year deal or a 10-year deal, the 36-year old Kelce will spend the opening portion of each offseason deciding whether he’s had enough.
The length of the deal almost doesn’t matter. The only reason it’s significant for Kelce is likely that it means when he gets to his next personal decision about retirement, he’ll know he’s still under contract with the Chiefs. Heading into this offseason, Kelce also had to worry about the prospect of free agency.
Chiefs’ Perspective
Kansas City could’ve also structured the money in this deal in all kinds of ways that hamper the Chiefs’ books less if Kelce does only stay for one year. The Chiefs don’t have to pay a player once retired, so the extra years could just be a matter of optics.
- The contract is for three years.
- It’s worth $54.735 million.
- It can be worth up to $57.735 million.
- Year 1 is $12 million plus $3 million in incentives.
All that’s known for sure is that Kelce will play for the Chiefs in 2026. Beyond that is anyone’s guess.