Tight ends are more similar to wide receivers in today’s NFL than offensive linemen in previous eras. Their versatility and popularity, on and off the field, explain the increase in their salaries over the years.
Travis Kelce may be the most recognizable tight end in the NFL, but he’s no longer the highest-paid. Trey McBride is the new leader in that category, earning $19 million annually with the Cardinals.
McBride signed the record extension in April worth $76 million over four years, taking in $43 million guaranteed. The deal makes him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
Travis Kelce is second after he signed a two-year, $34.25 million contract extension with the Chiefs in 2024. Kelce earns $17.13 million annually, supplementing the lucrative contract he signed with Amazon last summer.
Third is T.J. Hockenson of the Vikings, who earns $16.5 million annually. The 27-year-old signed a four-year, $66 million contract extension in 2023, including $29.29 million guaranteed.
George Kittle takes fourth with his average annual salary of $15 million with the 49ers.
In 2020, Kittle signed an extension worth $75 million but has converted part of his salary into signing bonuses three times since then.
He’s helped San Francisco save $26.54 million in cap space by doing so.
Rounding out the top five is Dallas Goedert of the Eagles. Goedert earns $14.3 million annually for the Super Bowl champions and is signed through the end of this year.
Three of the top 10 highest-paid tight ends play in the AFC North.
Top 25 Highest-Paid NFL Tight Ends
Here is the list of the top 25 highest-paid NFL tight ends by average annual value. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.
- Updated: April 9th, 2025
- Will be updated again: April 25th, 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Trey McBride | Arizona Cardinals | $19 million |
| 2 | Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | $17.13 million |
| 3 | T.J. Hockenson | Minnesota Vikings | $16.5 million |
| 4 | George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers | $15 million |
| 5 | Dallas Goedert | Philadelphia Eagles | $14.25 million |
| 6 | Mark Andrews | Baltimore Ravens | $14 million |
| 7 | David Njoku | Cleveland Browns | $13.7 million |
| 8 | Cole Kmet | Chicago Bears | $12.5 million |
| 9 | Pat Freiermuth | Pittsburgh Steelers | $12.1 million |
| 10 | Dalton Schultz | Houston Texans | $12 million |
| 11 | Evan Engram | Denver Broncos | $11.5 million |
| 12 | Noah Fant | Seattle Seahawks | $10.5 million |
| 13 | Juwan Johnson | New Orleans Saints | $10.3 million |
| 14 | Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints | $10 million |
| 15 | Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills | $9.8 million |
| 16 | Hunter Henry | New England Patriots | $9 million |
| T-17 | Tyler Higbee | Los Angeles Rams | $8.5 million |
| T-17 | Mike Gesicki | Cincinnati Bengals | $8.5 million |
| 19 | Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons | $8.23 million |
| 20 | Colby Parkinson | Los Angeles Rams | $7.5 million |
| T-21 | John Bates | Washington Commanders | $7 million |
| T-21 | Josh Oliver | Minnesota Vikings | $7 million |
| 23 | Zach Ertz | Washington Commanders | $6.3 million |
| 24 | Noah Gray | Kansas City Chiefs | $6 million |
| T-25 | Luke Farrell | San Francisco 49ers | $5.3 million |
| T-25 | Tommy Tremble | Carolina Panthers | $5.3 million |
