Overview
- Kelce re-signed for one year at $12 million fully guaranteed, with $3 million in base salary and $9 million in roster bonuses, including $3 million tied to training camp and $6 million to 90-man roster dates.
- The contract employs the NFL’s 50% rule and a post–June 1 mechanism to distribute charges over multiple years, holding his 2026 cap hit to roughly $4.8–$4.89 million.
- Dummy years in 2027 and 2028 include a $40 million 2028 guarantee that vests on June 8 next year, positioning Kansas City to release him before that date if a separation is planned.
- If released using the post–June 1 treatment, the remaining charges would be spread, with reports indicating about $3.5 million in dead money in both 2027 and 2028.
- Incentives of up to about $3 million hinge on playtime and postseason results, while analysts frame the structure as retirement-friendly after his 14th season.