Full details of Travis Kelce’s contract — including $40 million dummy year
Travis Kelce’s contract details have been disclosed, revealing the terms of his one-year, $12 million deal with the Chiefs for the upcoming NFL season. After contemplating retirement during the offseason, Kelce decided to return for his 14th season in the league.
According to reports, the entire $12 million in Kelce’s contract is fully guaranteed, with $9 million allocated as roster bonuses. Of this amount, $3 million is designated as a training camp bonus, while the remaining $6 million will be awarded if Kelce is on the 90-man roster at specific points throughout the season. This essentially guarantees Kelce the money even if he is not actively playing.
In addition to the base salary and roster bonuses, Kansas City has included $3 million in incentives in Kelce’s contract. These incentives are tied to various performance metrics such as making the playoffs, reaching the Super Bowl, and playing a certain percentage of regular-season snaps.
To manage the salary cap impact, Kelce’s contract is structured to spread out the cap hits over multiple years. In 2026, his cap hit will be $4.8 million with dead money hits of $3.5 million in the subsequent two years. The contract also includes provisions to avoid void years and allows the Chiefs to release Kelce by a certain date to spread out any dead money.
At 37 years old next season, Kelce’s decision to continue playing this year could potentially lead to retirement in the near future. Despite finishing the previous season with his third-lowest yard total, Kelce remains a key player for the Chiefs, having made his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl.
The return of Kelce is crucial for the Chiefs, who missed the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2014. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes expected to return from injury, Kelce’s presence on the team will be instrumental as Kansas City aims to bounce back and reclaim their status as contenders in the upcoming season.
