Chiefs re-sign star TE to three-year deal

Travis Kelce is getting paid a pretty penny to remain with the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026 NFL season – at least on the surface.

Kelce officially signed a contract extension with the Chiefs on March 23. A person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon the deal will be worth a maximum value of $57.735 million over three years.

If the full value of Kelce's deal is realized, he would become the highest-paid NFL tight end in terms of average annual value (AAV) at just under $19.25 million. George Kittle had the previous market record of $19.1 million.

However, Kelce's deal is backloaded, so it isn't clear how much – if any – of the future-year money he will receive. All that is currently known is that he will make $12 million in guarantees and has $3 million in potential incentives for the 2026 season.

Here's more to know about Kelce's contract.

Travis Kelce contract details

Kelce officially signed a three-year extension with the Chiefs. Below are the full details of the contract at its maximum value:

Term: 3 years

Total value: $57.735 million

Average annual value (AAV): $19.245 million

Guaranteed money: $12 million

Kelce's deal may look like an expensive, three-year pact, but the lower-level guarantees within it could essentially render it a one-year deal.

Such a possibility will depend on the contract's structure. If all $12 million of Kelce's guarantees are budgeted for 2026, then the Chiefs would be able to move on from him without any additional payments or penalties following the season.

With that in mind, it seems likely Kelce and the Chiefs will continue evaluating his future on a year-by-year basis.

Travis Kelce stats

Kelce posted 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. The four-time All-Pro has generated seven total 1,000-yard seasons and has logged at least 823 receiving yards in every season since 2014.

Below is a full look at Kelce's career stats:

Games: 192

Targets: 1,508

Receptions: 1,080

Receiving yards: 13,002

Receiving TDs: 82

Yards per reception: 12

Kelce graded as Pro Football Focus' 18th tight end last season and generated a 98 passer rating when targeted.

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