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Chiefs' Travis Kelce Receives Special Gift After Signing Contract

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit K. | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 9:35 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs gave fans a light moment after Travis Kelce signed his new deal.

The Chiefs posted a video on X with a playful caption about his early days. It read, “Came a long way from Hoopsie, @tkelce ,” pointing to his growth over the years.

In the clip, Kelce receives a framed photo of himself tied to his rookie memories at Arrowhead Stadium. A voice behind the camera tells him it comes from one of his first games.

Kelce laughs as he looks at it and recalls being called “Hoopsie”.

"Oh, man, this thing takes me back right here," Kelce said. "That's back, that's back when they called me Hoopsie 'cause I had the hoops, and I used to mess up plays all the time. So yeah, I've come a long way. Go Chiefs."

Came a long way from Hoopsie, @tkelce pic.twitter.com/tdrYkfww6N
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 24, 2026

The post came just after Kelce secured a major contract extension. The timing added more meaning, as it showed his journey from a raw prospect to a veteran star.

Kelce’s new deal runs three years and can reach $57.735 million in total value. His average annual salary stands near $19.245 million, the highest ever for a tight end. He moved past George Kittle in that category.

The structure of the contract keeps flexibility for the team. Kelce will earn $12 million in 2026, with $3 million more in incentives. The deal includes $12 million in guaranteed money, all tied to the first year.