Travis Kelce will sign a new one-year contract worth a guaranteed $12 million after agreeing to stay loyal to the Kansas City Chiefs, it has emerged.
Reports on Sunday claimed that the tight end’s representatives were speaking to multiple teams, but Kelce has decided to continue his career in Kansas City – sticking with the city where he has won three Super Bowls.
And contract details began to emerge on Monday evening, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that Kelce’s one-year deal will have a max value of $15m, and a guaranteed $12m as he heads into his 14th NFL season.
In his previous contract, signed ahead of the 2024 season, Kelce earned $34.25m across two seasons, averaging out at $17.125m a year.
The new contract represents a potential drop of $5m a year for Kelce, who remains one of the best tight ends in the league despite being 36 years of age.
He could almost certainly have commanded a considerably bigger salary elsewhere, especially given the marketing value he has in terms of fame, ticket sales and jersey sales, but he opted to stay in KC for 2026.
Travis Kelce is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 14th season and will earn at least $12m
Kelce, who is set to marry Taylor Swift soon, had been deliberating his NFL future this winter
So far in his career, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend has earned an eye-watering $111,194,254, per Spotrac, and given his other half’s billionaire status, it is fair to assume he isn’t short on cash.
The news of his $12m contract will come as a boost to mom Donna, though, as reports of her considerable home renovations continue to break the internet.
Kelce would have been allowed to open talks with teams around the league ahead of signing a new deal in free agency, which begins at 4pm ET on Wednesday.
Another factor in his decision to stay at Arrowhead may lie in a series of blockbuster moves the Chiefs have made in the market to strengthen its roster.
The franchise is signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who hit free agency just weeks after leading the Seattle Seahawks to victory against the New England Patriots.
The Chiefs and Kelce endured a nightmare season last year, finishing 6-11 and missing out on the NFL postseason for the first time since 2014.
The Chiefs’ 2025 season ended in disaster when they finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs
Retirement and free agency had reportedly been on the table for the veteran tight end
Kelce was drafted by Kansas City in 2013 out of Cincinnati and has played 192 games for the team, many of which have been alongside his best friend Mahomes.
Kelce had previously hinted that he could be gearing up for a return when he addressed his retirement deliberation in January on his New Heights podcast with brother Jason.
‘There’s a lot of love for the game still, and I don’t think I’ll ever lose that,’ the veteran confessed. ‘It’s a tough thing to navigate but at the same time I think if my body can heal up and rest and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18-, 20-, 21-week run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat.
‘I think right now it’s just finding that answer and see how the body feels after all this settles down.’
The NFL star is expected to tie the knot with pop sensation Swift this summer
While the Chiefs endured humiliation at the weekend, Kelce proved that he still had what it takes to suit up for another year.
Kelce himself had a season to be proud of on an individual level. He ended with 851 yards and five touchdowns, in the process becoming only the third tight end in NFL history to pass 13,000 yards for his career.
Amid his offseason saga, it is also set to be a busy few months away from the NFL field for the football star.
A date for his wedding with Swift has not been confirmed, but multiple media reports believe it has been set for June in Rhode Island, and will likely be the biggest celebrity wedding of the year.