Travis Kelce is officially the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a two-year contract extension on Monday just a few days after drafting his replacement.
It is an interesting look at the future!
Kelce, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, is a four-time First-Team All-Pro and three-time Super Bowl champion. He holds the NFL records for career postseason receptions, seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a tight end, games with 100+ yards receiving by a tight end, and a few others. There are very few people who would not consider him to be the greatest of all-time at his position.
The money is well deserved.
Exact financial details of Kelce’s new deal have yet to be released. However, Darren Wallen was the highest-paid tight end in the league at an average of $17 million per year in 2023. George Kittle was close behind at $15 million.
Assuming that these numbers are the same for 2024, Kelce’s deal will pay him no less than $15.01 million because Waller is retired. It is probably safe to assume that it is closer to $17.
Money aside, the Chiefs locked down Kelce for two additional seasons. His deal will expire at age 36.
This is more than likely his last contract.
Jared Wiley is the succession plan for Travis Kelce.
Kansas City drafted former Texas and TCU tight end Jared Wiley with the No. 131 overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He and Kelce have a lot in common.
Wiley is 6-foot-6, 250 pounds. Kelce is 6-foot-5, 250 pounds.
Wiley ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Kelce ran a 4.61.
Wiley is a converted quarterback. Kelce is a converted quarterback.
Wiley caught 47 passes for 520 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior with the Horned Frogs. Kelce caught 45 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior year at Cincinnati.
Jason Lamb, Kansas City’s southwest regional scout, is especially high on the team’s newest tight end. Understandably so!
Both players have smoother movement and better speed than what you would expect from someone their size. They are both extremely explosive off the line of scrimmage and can accelerate in a hurry.
Now, to be fair to Jared Wiley, there is nobody else like Travis Kelce. He is the G.O.A.T.
To hold Wiley to that standard before he even arrives to minicamp would be outrageous.
However, strictly looking at the two on-paper, it is more than fair to compare Wiley to Kelce. Their similarities are astounding.
The latter will be with the Chiefs for two more years. The former will take over from there!