The Kansas City Chiefs managed to tick off some New England Patriots fans on Monday.
In announcing that they agreed to a two-year contract extension for Travis Kelce, the Chiefs said they had signed “the greatest tight end ever” to a new deal.
Almost immediately, the Chiefs’ mentions and quote-tweets filled up with people arguing in favor of Rob Gronkowski.
“Me searching to find Rob Gronkowski,” said sportscaster Chris Williamson.
“@RobGronkowski unretired again?” asked Boston radio sports director Adam Kaufman.
“I don’t see Gronk anywhere?” one Patriots fan said.
“How did you get Rob Gronkowski out of retirement?!” another fan asked.
“That’s not Gronk,” a third Pats fan said.
“The greatest tight end ever is retired sadly,” another Pats fan chimed in, including a GIF of Gronkowski.
Can’t blame the Chiefs to repping their guy or Patriots fans for backing theirs, but arguing between Kelce and Gronkowski is almost like splitting hairs. Both are incredible players, and if one of them isn’t the “GOAT” of the tight end position, they are both in the top five.
Kelce’s new contract, when tacked onto his current one, now runs through the 2027 season. The nine-time Pro Bowler will be the highest-paid tight end in both cash and APY over the next two years, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
All $17 million of Kelce’s salary for 2024 is guaranteed, with most of next year’s salary becoming guaranteed on the third day of the league year in March 2025.