When the Kansas City Chiefs gained an extra $2 million by restructuring defensive end Alex Okafor’s contract on Aug. 10, many speculated what potential moves Kansas City might be preparing to make.
That is, until Wednesday afternoon ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was the next Kansas City player to receive a monster contract extension following defensive tackle Chris Jones and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“We’ve got great guys in the locker room, we’ve got great guys in the facility, great people in the facility and overall it’s a fun atmosphere every single time we come to work,” Kelce said. “Guys don’t want to leave that, guys want to keep building off of that and it’s a beautiful thing when you have ownership trust in you and want to make a change with you in terms of the season and the community. And then on top of that, just going out there and playing football with guys who come to work every single day and fight their tail off for you,” he explained.
The star tight end received a 4-year, $57.25 million extension from Kansas City that includes $28 million in guarantees, sealing his long-term future in a Chiefs uniform through the 2025 season.
Kelce expressed his excitement over his prolonged future as a Chief and thanked the team’s ownership and front office for their trust and belief in him.
“It’s a beautiful thing, and you know what, this community, Kansas City, I love you and I’m thankful that I’m going to be here for the next six years,” Kelce said.
“The front office, [general manager] Brett Veach, Coach [Andy] Reid, [chairman] Clark Hunt, [president] Mark Donovan, the guys that really put this organization and bring everyone together and get everyone on the same page, we got all the trust in the world that those guys are going to get it done and make it worth our while, while we’re here. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunities that we’ve had to date, and you know what? We’ll make it our effort every single day to make the best yet to come,” Kelce promised.
Kansas City drafted Kelce in 2013 as a third-round selection and has since put together an impressive resume, including four straight 1,000 yard seasons to make his case as the best tight end in football.
In 2019, Kelce caught 97 passes for 1,229 yards and five touchdowns and hauled in another 19 receptions for 207 yards and four TDs in the playoffs to help spring the Chiefs on a run to Super Bowl 54.
There, he made a crucial one-yard catch in the fourth quarter to kick off Kansas City’s comeback rally from a 10-point deficit over San Francisco to snag a 31-20 victory and the Lombardi trophy.
Head Coach Andy Reid is also excited to have his all-pro tight end for the foreseeable future.
“He still comes to work every day wanting to get better,” Reid said. “And so you love that part of him, he brings energy every day. I’ve been lucky enough coaching his brother [Jason, with the Philadelphia Eagles], and they’re both that way,” Reid explained. “They’re wired where they want to be the best but yet enjoy playing the game like no other, kinda like you’re playing in the backyard type thing.”
At 30-years-old, Kelce’s new six-year contract will likely keep him a Chief for the rest of his NFL career. It also suggests that locking up his long-term future, along with Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones, means Kansas City is in the best position to fight for their right to party in 2020 and beyond.
