TE Kelce OK being ‘underpaid’: ‘I love winning’

Kansas City Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce admits he thinks about how rather more cash he might be making if he “pressed the gasoline” on his contract, however finally, successful is extra essential to him.

In a wide-ranging profile by Vanity FairKelce mentioned, “My managers and brokers love to inform me how underpaid I’m.”

Final offseason, he watched teammate Tyreek Hill pressure his method out of Kansas Metropolis together with his contract calls for. The star broad receiver was traded to the Miami Dolphins and signed a four-year, $120 million extension, together with $72.2 million assured.

“After I noticed Tyreek go and get 30 [million] a 12 months, behind my head, I used to be like, man, that is two to a few occasions what I am making proper now,” he advised Vainness Honest. “I am like, the free market seems like enjoyable till you go someplace, and you do not win. I like successful. I like the scenario I am in.”

The Chiefs have received two of the previous 4 Tremendous Bowls, together with earlier this 12 months once they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Tremendous Bowl LVII.

Kelce, 33, is scheduled to make a base wage of $11.25 million this season, ranked 52nd amongst NFL gamers, in accordance with the Roster Administration System. He’s beneath contract via the 2025 season and his common annual wage of $14,312,500 ranks third amongst tight ends, behind the san francisco 49ers‘ George Kittle ($15 million) and the New York Giants‘ Darren Waller ($17 million).

It may be argued that Kelce’s significance to the Chiefs transcends the tight finish place. He has posted seven straight seasons of greater than 1,000 yards — a document for NFL tight ends — and final season led the Chiefs in each receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,338).

As such, he admits he does take into consideration his contract scenario.

“You see how rather more cash you might be making and, yeah, it hits you within the intestine a little bit bit. It makes you suppose you are being taken benefit of,” Kelce advised Vainness Honest. “I do not know if I actually pressed the gasoline if I might get what I am quote-unquote price. However I do know I take pleasure in coming to that constructing each single day.”

Kelce additionally may simply be following the instance set by star quarterback Patrick Mahomeswho will make a base wage of $5.5 million this season, in accordance with the Roster Administration System. The 2-time MVP (and two-time Tremendous Bowl MVP) has a mean annual wage of $45 million, which ranks seventh amongst quarterbacks.