Nate Burleson Open to Pay Cut for Travis Kelce’s CBS Arrival
Nate Burleson has always been known as a supportive teammate. As a former NFL wide receiver, he often praised legends like Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson. Now, he’s looking to show that same spirit in his broadcasting role.
Working with CBS for NFL coverage, Burleson recently mentioned that he’d “happily take a pay cut” if it meant bringing Travis Kelce onto the network after his eventual retirement.
“I mean, whoever signs Travis is going to have to work hard on finances because, let’s face it, he’s a high earner in the league,” Burleson shared with Front Office Sports. “And his daughter [Taylor Swift]—well, let’s just say he’s not in it for small change. I’m not sure if CBS has the budget for that, but I’m open to sacrificing some of my salary. Just so you know, my agent hasn’t heard anything about that yet,” he added with a chuckle.
Kelce, now 36, is likely in his final season with the Chiefs, adding a layer of speculation about his future. His older brother, Jason, has already transitioned to ESPN after an iconic career with the Eagles, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if Travis followed suit. He’s already ventured into entertainment, hosting Amazon Prime Video’s “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader,” and has made appearances on FX’s “Grotesquerie” and in a cameo for Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore 2.” The Kelce brothers also run a popular podcast called “New Heights.”
“You know, if his brother Jason had approached broadcasting hesitantly, that wouldn’t be the case with Travis. He excels on camera,” Burleson commented. “He’s articulate, knowledgeable about the game, and given his podcast success, he really shines when speaking.”
After Jason retired in 2024, he attracted attention from ESPN as well as NBC, CBS, and Amazon, eventually joining the “Monday Night Countdown” team.
As for Travis, who recently married Swift in a lavish wedding, he’s set to play at least one more season with the Chiefs after a disappointing 2025. The team finished 6-11 largely due to Patrick Mahomes suffering an ACL tear in December, though Mahomes is optimistic about returning for the season opener.
