Travis Kelce may accept pay cut from Kansas City Chiefs if he wants to chase fourth Super Bowl win (Image via Getty: Travis Kelce) Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has achieved three Super Bowl wins [LVI, LVII, LVIII]. His fourth achievement is still a dream. The Chiefs now have a -$11.3 million on their 2026 salary cap. They started at -$54 million before making contractual changes. Cutting part of Patrick Mahomes’ salary brought them to the -$11 million mark. Now, a new contract for their star tight end remains. This could include a pay cut, as suggested by CBS Sports’ Joel Corry.
CBS Sports expert Joel Corry compares Travis Kelce to former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez
Salary cap expert Joel Corry reports that, despite Kelce’s age, former tight ends like Tony Gonzalez continued to shine at 36. After turning 37, the Atlanta Falcons signed Gonzalez to a two-year, $14 million contract in 2013. He formerly played for the Kansas City Chiefs.Anyway, Gonzalez was the sixth highest-paid tight end in the NFL at the time, tied with Jermichael Finley of the Green Bay Packers. He recorded 93 receptions for 930 yards and eight touchdowns, adding to his Hall of Fame legacy. Kelce will turn 37 this October. He stood out in the 2025 season by leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.What remains is his hunger for a Super Bowl win, a vengeance that has stayed in his mind since his brother Jason Kelce’s team, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, took his Super Bowl LIX. Corry says the 11-time Pro Bowler may be willing to take a hometown discount to help the Chiefs reboot after a disappointing 2025 season. After nine straight division titles, they lost their unflinching hold on the AFC West. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, finishing with a losing 6-11 record after 13 years. Considering all this, and seeing his best friend, Patrick Mahomes, cut his pay, Kelce may be willing to do the same.
Travis Kelce may receive incentives even if he opts for a hometown discount
Corry says it won’t be all bleak after the discount. He would have incentives. “Any incentive based on what he or the Chiefs achieved statistically during the 2025 season would be classified as likely to be earned [LTBE] for 2026 and count toward the salary cap,” Corry wrote.So, there’s some good news for Kelce. The flip side is that anything not achieved would be considered NLTBE and would not count against the salary cap.