Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce may be a perennial All-Pro, but according to his former teammate Tyreek Hill, he"s not getting paid what he"s worth. In a recent appearance on the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast, Hill spoke out about Kelce"s contract situation.
“I think Kelce, like, at 14, 15 [million]," Hill said, referencing Kelce"s current average annual salary. “Nobody"s Travis Kelce. Nobody"s Patrick Mahomes, either. Those two – they"re just different. They"re gonna be the highest-paid."
Kelce, widely considered the league"s best tight end, is currently on a contract with an average annual value of roughly $14.3 million. This pales in comparison to the top wide receiver contracts, some exceeding $30 million per year.
Hill, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins last offseason for a record-breaking contract himself, seems to believe Kelce is prioritizing team success over personal gain.
“Kelce," Hill continued, “he took one for the team, man. He understands the business. He knows what"s going on. He knows that if he would"ve asked for what he deserved, it would"ve been tough for them to keep everybody else."
The Chiefs have consistently boasted a high-powered offense with Kelce and Mahomes at the helm. Kelce himself has acknowledged his underpaid status in interviews, but also expressed his contentment with the team environment and winning culture.
“When I saw Tyreek go and get 30 [million] a year, in the back of my head, I was like, man, that"s two to three times what I"m making right now," Kelce previously told Vanity Fair. “The free market looks like fun until you go somewhere and you don"t win. I love winning. I love the situation I"m in."
Travis Kelce"s Contract with Kansas City Chiefs: Breakdown
- Total Value: $57.25 million
- Length: 4 years
- Average Annual Salary: $14.31 million
- Guaranteed Money: $22.75 million (Includes signing bonus and some base salary.)
This contract extension keeps Travis Kelce with the Chiefs through the 2025 season. He received a significant signing bonus in 2020 which guaranteed him a large portion of the contract upfront.
His base salary increases each year of the contract and makes him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL for the 2023 season. There are also per-game roster bonuses included in each year.
Looking ahead, Kelce will be 35 years old at the end of his current contract. It"s uncertain if he will sign another extension or potentially retire after 2025. His future performance and the Chiefs" salary cap situation will influence any future contract negotiations.
