Travis Kelce ‘looks like he’s 28 years old’ on the field, says Chiefs GM Brett Veach after inking tight end to new $17.1m per year extension… as exec calls 34-year-old a ‘unicorn’
Travis Kelce may be 34 years old, but according to Chiefs GM Brett Veach, he plays like he’s half a decade younger.
Kelce, who signed a new two-year extension with the Chiefs on Monday worth a reported $17.1 million per year, played again in the postseason as Kansas City repeated as Super Bowl champions.
And Veach spoke about the tight end after the news broke, saying he was the “first guy in line” on running routes at the team’s practice facility on Monday.
“He looked like he was 28 years old,” he told reporters.
“The chances of anyone playing that far into their 30s are very slim, but it does happen, and it happens to unicorns in the business and Travis is one of them,” he added.
Brett Veach, seen at the NFL Combine, told reporters that Travis Kelce ‘looked 28 years old’
Kelce signed a two-year extension with the Chiefs on Monday as he enters his 12th season
“Everyone notices what kind of postseason he had, and he just had extra equipment. These special players, these special players are always able to find that extra equipment.
After the signing, the Chiefs wrote on X, “We signed the best tight end ever to a new contract.”
Kelce himself also responded to the news in a video on social media.
We’re getting back at it, baby,” he said to the camera as he gestured to his Super Bowl LVIII hat. “I had to see a little Super Bowl here, man.
‘It feels good to be at KC. I remember coming here twelve years ago, man. It’s an honor and a pleasure and I can’t wait to get started over the next two years. No better than now. Let’s hurry up for this year. I just hit the field with the boys, we’re at it again, baby.”
Kelce had a great postseason as the Chiefs repeated as Super Bowl champions
In November, Kelce spoke with his brother about the prospect of retirement on his podcast “New Heights.”
“That’s the one thing I’ve never really been open about, the discomfort,” Travis said. ‘The pain. The lingering injuries – the 10 surgeries I’ve had and to this day I still feel with every surgery.
“The surgeries are taking their toll, man,” he continued. ‘They’re taking their toll. I was unlucky enough to have the knee operation, but luckily I haven’t had any problems with that situation since.”
Jason, 36, eventually retired after thirteen seasons with the Eagles.
While Travis narrowly missed his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season for the Chiefs, he came up big in the playoffs, totaling 355 yards and three touchdowns in four games.