After much speculation about whether he would retire from the NFL, Travis Kelce has decided to return to the Kansas City Chiefs, but has stunned many by signing a three-year deal.
And that three-year extension is worth a mammoth $82.6m, but there's a strong likelihood he won't see the majority of that money.
The legendary tight end will earn $17.2m of that deal in 2026, with the potential to make an extra $4.2m if he meets unknown incentives.
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But beyond the 2026-2027 season, the majority of that money could simply vanish into thin air, whether he's cut by the Chiefs or if he opts to retire.
At this point it's worth mentioning that the NFL salary cap is hopelessly complicated.
The way Kelce's deal is structured, he will likely be cut or placed on the reserve/retired list in June of 2027, thus voiding the remainder of the deal, but allowing him to pocket effectively $5m across 2027 and 2028.
The Chiefs have done all of this for cap purposes, giving them flexibility and avoiding dead money in those final two years.
So in all likelihood, he will make the $17.2m next season, retire, and then receive $5m spread across those next two years post retirement. He won't see the remaining $65m. As much as it looked good on paper.
The Chiefs will be on the hook for the remainder of the contract if he is still on their roster come June 8, 2027.
Regardless, Kelce's decision to continue playing comes as somewhat of a surprise.
https://x.com/Chiefs/status/2036170160156119422?s=20
One of the great tight ends of the 21st century, the 36-year-old has won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs and made 11 Pro Bowls. Later in 2026, he will marry billionaire musician Taylor Swift.
Many expected Kelce to hang up his cleats when his contract expired at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
It was a rocky season for the Chiefs, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes tearing his ACL halfway through.
They won six games and missed the playoffs for the first time in the Mahomes-Kelce era.
Mahomes is expected to be ready for the start of the next season, but will naturally be in some doubt given the significant knee injury.
It may end up being one final run for the pair, who have played in five Super Bowls together since 2020.
Kelce has earned $159m in career earnings since joining the Chiefs via the 2013 draft.
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