This offseason, Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce joined the ranks of the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends, but within two months, two new players surpassed his average annual salary of $17.1 million. Early in April, Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride secured a four-year, $76 million contract extension, briefly becoming the highest-paid tight end. However, soon after, San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle signed his own four-year extension worth $76.4 million, claiming the top spot. Although McBride held the title for just a few weeks, he expressed pride in his achievement and respect for Kittle, hoping other tight ends will continue to push the market higher.
In his third NFL season, McBride recorded 111 receptions for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns, ranking fourth all-time among tight ends in receptions and second in receiving yards in franchise history. Meanwhile, Kittle, at 31, continues to be one of the league’s elite tight ends, achieving his fourth 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024—a feat matched by only five tight ends in NFL history.
Looking ahead, two young tight ends could potentially reset the market: 24-year-old Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions and 22-year-old Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders. LaPorta, eligible for an extension after the 2025 season, set a rookie record with 86 receptions in 2023, tallying 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, despite injury setbacks in 2024 where he posted 60 catches, 726 yards, and seven touchdowns. Considered a top-five tight end prospect, LaPorta is poised for a lucrative contract next.
Bowers smashed the rookie tight end reception record in 2024 with 112 catches, amassing 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, surpassing Mike Ditka’s 1961 mark. Hailed for his versatility, Bowers averaged more yards per game than several prominent wide receivers in 2024. Although he must wait two more seasons for an extension, his production suggests he could redefine tight end salaries in the future.
Fan Take: This salary race among top tight ends highlights the increasing importance and value of the position in today’s NFL. Fans can expect even greater talent and competitive contracts as these standout players push the boundaries of performance and pay, signaling exciting developments for the sport’s evolution.
