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Travis Kelce’s Chiefs contract has outrageous bonus he’s not likely to collect
While it was readily apparent that the new three-year contract that Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce signed March 23 was largely window dressing, the cost of those drapes is now coming to light.
The maximum value of Kelce’s deal is $57.7 million, a figure that − if fully realized − would allow the 36-year-old 14-time Pro Bowler to surpass fellow Tight End University co-founder George Kittle ($19.1 million average annual value) of the San Francisco 49ers as the highest-paid man at the position in terms of AAV.
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Don’t bet on it.
While we knew Kelce’s contract was heavily backloaded given he was guaranteed to make $12 million (with another $3 million available in incentives) in 2026, we now know how unlikely it is that Kelce returns in 2027 − at least based on the deal’s current structure.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Kelce has a roster bonus of $40 million − $40 million − for the 2028 season. Not only that, the Chiefs have to pay it on June 8, 2027 − meaning his pact truly is effective for just this season, barring a near-complete overhaul of it some time next year … when he’s equally unlikely to play on a $1+ million salary as he is to collect that outrageous bonus.
TRAVIS KELCE BY THE NUMBERS Contracts, earnings, stats
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None of this is a shot at Kelce’s value − especially after a resurgent 2025 campaign, when he again led K.C. in receptions (76), receiving yards (851) and tied for the most TD grabs (5). Those numbers are perhaps particularly impressive given the late-season absence of injured quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
And while Kelce’s new financial arrangement may not look as good in reality as it does in a headline − love the curtains anyway, Trav!
Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) takes the field prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Kelce’s Chiefs contract has outrageous bonus that alters outlook