Travis Kelce Expresses Disappointment At Saquon Barkley’s Contract

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the structure of Saquon Barkley’s new contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the contract’s impressive $41.2 million over two years, Kelce took issue with the $15 million tied to performance-based incentives.

On the “New Heights” podcast, co-hosted with his brother and former Eagles center Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce expressed his concerns:

“Eww. I don’t like that one bit… Does he have to get a 2,000-yard season every year?”

Jason Kelce elaborated on typical NFL contract structures, noting that incentives often include achievements like playoff appearances, Super Bowl victories, Pro Bowl selections, and All-Pro honors. For running backs, additional incentives frequently relate to yardage milestones. Travis Kelce criticized this approach, particularly when incentives depend on subjective accolades:

“So you have to rely on someone’s vote to get your incentive? That’s (expletive) up.”

Despite his reservations about the contract’s incentive structure, Travis Kelce acknowledged Barkley’s value, referring to him as “one of the leaders” of the Eagles and affirming that he “deserves every penny” of his new deals

Barkley’s performance has been instrumental in the Eagles’ success, including their recent Super Bowl victory over the Chiefs. His two-year extension, averaging $20.6 million per year, reflects his significant contributions to the team.

Travis Kelce’s critique highlights a broader debate within the NFL regarding incentive-laden contracts and their potential implications for players’ earnings and performance.