Travis Kelce replaced in tight-end top earning list as rival NFL superstar signs record $76 million contract

Travis Kelce is no longer the highest-paid tight end in the NFLCredit: Getty

Trey McBride Dethrones Travis Kelce as NFL’s Highest-Paid Tight End with Record-Breaking Deal

In a seismic shift within the NFL’s financial landscape, Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has claimed the title of the league’s highest-paid tight end, surpassing Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce. On April 3, 2025, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that McBride signed a four-year, $76 million extension with the Cardinals, a deal that includes $43 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $19 million. This contract not only secures McBride’s future in Arizona but also redefines the market for tight ends, highlighting the position’s growing value in today’s pass-heavy NFL. For Kelce, a future Hall of Famer and one of the most decorated tight ends in history, the news marks the end of his reign as the top earner at his position—a title he held since signing a two-year, $34.25 million extension with the Chiefs in 2024.

McBride, a 25-year-old rising star, has quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s premier talents at the tight end position. Drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Colorado State, the Fort Morgan, Colorado native had a relatively quiet rookie season but exploded onto the scene over the past two years. In 2024, McBride enjoyed a breakout campaign, hauling in 111 receptions for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns, numbers that ranked him among the league’s elite pass-catchers. His reception total was the second-highest in a single season in Cardinals franchise history, trailing only DeAndre Hopkins’ 115 in 2020. McBride’s performance earned him his first Pro Bowl nod, cementing his status as a cornerstone of Arizona’s offense. His chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray has been a driving force behind the Cardinals’ passing game, with Murray frequently targeting McBride to move the chains. “Maaaaan! So happy for my dawg, worth every penny!” Murray wrote on X, a sentiment that reflects the tight end’s impact both on and off the field.

Meanwhile, Travis Kelce, at 35, remains a titan in the NFL despite a challenging 2024 season. The Ohio native, who has been with the Chiefs since being drafted in the third round in 2013, is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in history. Kelce holds numerous NFL records for the position, including the most consecutive and overall seasons with 1,000 receiving yards (seven) and the single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end (1,416 in 2020). He’s a ten-time Pro Bowler, a seven-time All-Pro, and a three-time Super Bowl champion, with victories in Super Bowls LIV, LVII, and LVIII alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, the 2024 season was a low point for Kelce, as he posted career lows of 97 receptions, 823 yards, and three touchdowns across the regular season. The Chiefs’ campaign ended in disappointment with a 40-22 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, where Kelce managed just four catches for 39 yards. Despite the setback, Kelce confirmed his return for the 2025 season, driven by a desire to rebound from what he called a subpar year.

Kelce’s contract, signed after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win in 2024, gave him an average annual salary of $17.125 million, making him the highest-paid tight end at the time. On the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, Travis expressed gratitude for the deal while emphasizing its broader impact. “I’m so excited and so thankful to this organization for getting it done, making me feel appreciated and compensated the right way,” he said. “And on top of that, I got to move the needle for the tight end room.” Kelce’s hope was that his contract would pave the way for other tight ends to secure lucrative deals, a prediction that came true with McBride’s extension. However, McBride’s $19 million annual average now eclipses Kelce’s, a reflection of the NFL’s evolving salary cap and the increasing importance of versatile tight ends in modern offenses.

The financial disparity between Kelce and McBride also underscores the Chiefs’ remarkable value in Kelce over the years. As noted in an article from Arrowhead Addict, Kelce has been a “steal” for Kansas City, delivering record-breaking production—1,004 receptions, 12,151 yards, and 77 touchdowns over 12 seasons—while earning significantly less than top wide receivers. For comparison, elite wideouts like Ja’Marr Chase command $40 million annually, whereas Kelce’s $17.125 million allowed the Chiefs to allocate resources elsewhere, building a dynasty with three Super Bowl rings and five championship appearances. McBride’s deal, while a milestone for tight ends, still represents a bargain compared to wide receiver contracts, highlighting the position’s unique value in team budgeting.

For McBride, the new contract comes with expectations to carry the torch for the next generation of tight ends. In an interview with Mirror U.S. Sports, he spoke about Kelce’s influence on the position, calling him “one of the greats” who has “done so much for the position and will go down in history as one of the best to ever do it.” McBride’s respect for Kelce is evident, but at 25, he’s ready to forge his own path. His athletic versatility—he holds school records in basketball and baseball from his high school days in Fort Morgan—has translated to the NFL, where his ability to play both ways in high school has made him a dynamic threat. McBride’s 2024 season showcased his reliability as a pass-catcher, and the Cardinals expect even bigger things in the years ahead as he enters his fourth season.

The timing of McBride’s deal also adds intrigue to Kelce’s future. After the Super Bowl LIX loss, Kelce faced retirement rumors but opted to return for 2025, his final year under contract. On New Heights, he shared his motivation: “I love playing. I still feel like I can play it at a high level… I don’t think it was my best outing. I want to give it a good run.” The Chiefs, meanwhile, are preparing for life after Kelce, signing veteran tight end Robert Tonyan in March 2025 as a potential depth piece. Kelce’s brother Jason, a retired Eagles center and co-host of New Heights, has also made headlines recently, earning an Emmy nomination for the podcast’s success, as noted by ESPN First Sportz. The Kelce brothers’ media ventures highlight their influence beyond the field, but for Travis, the focus remains on reclaiming his on-field dominance.

McBride’s contract is a watershed moment for tight ends, signaling a shift in how the position is valued in the NFL. While Kelce’s legacy as a trailblazer is secure, McBride represents the future, a young star poised to redefine the role. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on both players—Kelce to see if he can recapture his elite form, and McBride to prove he’s worth every penny of his historic deal. For now, the torch has been passed, but in the ever-competitive NFL, the story is far from over.