Kelce: I wasn't going to hold out to become highest-paid TE

Holding out was seemingly never an option for Travis Kelce as the All-Pro tight end sought a pay raise.

The Chiefs recently granted Kelce's wishes by reworking his deal, but the nine-time Pro Bowler said he wasn't going to threaten a holdout if Kansas City didn't meet his contract demands.

"I'm not a guy that sits out," Kelce said on the latest episode of his "New Heights" podcast. "I'm not a guy that holds out. I'm a guy that loves coming into the building, and the Chiefs know that. So, for them to want to ... get this done for me knowing how much blood, sweat, and tears I put into this thing, I'm extremely grateful."

As part of the new deal, Kelce will earn $34.25 million over the last two years of his contract. The 34-year-old now has the NFL's highest average annual salary at his position.

"I'm so excited and I'm so thankful to this organization for getting it done, making me feel appreciated and compensated the right way, and on top of that, I got to move the needle for the tight end room," Kelce said. "It's everyone else's job to got out there and keep making that tight end AAV number go up and up with every single contract that's better than mine in the future."

He added: "I'm going to love the next two years playing here in Kansas City, and we'll see what happens after that."

A third-round pick in 2013, Kelce was linked to retirement speculation last year before helping the Chiefs win their second consecutive Super Bowl title.

Kelce - who's spent his entire career with Kansas City - has been an integral part of the Chiefs' success along with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. He led the team in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns in the playoffs during K.C.'s championship run in 2023.