While it was readily apparent that thenew three-year contractthatKansas City Chiefssuperstar tight endTravis Kelcesigned March 23 was largely window dressing, the cost of those drapes is now coming to light.
Themaximum valueof 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.
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.
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)
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, theChiefshave 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.
Advertisement
TRAVIS KELCE BY THE NUMBERSContracts, earnings, stats
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 quarterbackPatrick 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!
All NFL news on and off the field.Sign upfor USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Travis Kelce's Chiefs contract has outrageous bonus that alters outlook