An NFL star doesn’t always have to threaten a holdout to become the highest-paid player in his position group. Tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is the best example

Travis Kelce got what he wanted. The Chiefs signed the tight end to a new contract this week, making him the highest-paid player at his position with an average salary of $17.125 million over the next two seasons.

Unlike many other players, he would not have been willing to use a holdout to enforce his demand. “I’m not a guy who sits out,” the 34-year-old said on the “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason.

“I’m not a guy who would sit through something like that. I’m a guy that loves coming to our training facilities, and the Chiefs know that. I’m very thankful that they’ve done this for me because they know how much blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into this. I’m so happy and so grateful to this organization that they were able to make me feel appreciated and compensated in the right way. “

The value of tight ends should continue to rise

In addition, Kelce would have had the chance to raise the value of players in his position: “It’s everyone else’s job to make sure that the average annual value of tight ends keeps going up in the future with every single contract that’s better than mine.”

Kelce thanked those responsible for making this deal possible. “I’m so damn grateful to Brett Veach, (president) Mark Donovan, coach Andy Reid – Big Red, I love you, big guy – and of course (team owner) Clark Hunt,” Kelce said.

“The Hunt family has not only been incredible to me and this community in Kansas City, but they’ve just been so generous since I’ve been here. They’ve made me feel right at home. For the past eleven years that I’ve been here, I’ve loved every single second. I’m going to love the next two years here in Kansas City and we’ll see what happens after that. “