The Kansas City Chiefs evolved their offense for the 2026 season. After needing to do so in certain spots over the last couple of years, there were still questions about how much they would truly lean into adjustments. Well, it has been far more drastic than some believed just a month into the season.
One spot that stands out for the Chiefs, specifically, is their tight end usage. They had success when going to multiple tight end sets in the early parts of this decade. But it was an item that was occasionally sprinkled in more than anything.
How often are the Chiefs using multiple tight ends so far in 2026? Plus, how does Kansas City compare to the rest of the league in snaps at the position?
Chiefs rank among highest rates of multiple tight end packages
According to Sharp Football Analysis, 44 percent of the Chiefs' offensive plays so far have involved multiple tight ends. Comparatively, Kansas City is using 11 personnel at a 50 percent clip. That ranks just 23rd in the NFL. For example, 17 teams are using 11 personnel 60 percent of the time or more. A few other teams are just below that threshold at 59 percent.
Let's look at other rankings for how routine it has been for the Chiefs to get more tight ends out there. K.C. is currently tied for 6th in its rate of using 12 personnel (33 percent of snaps). They are also tied for 7th in their rate of using 13 personnel (11 percent of snaps). The Chiefs essentially reintroduced the fullback spot to their depth chart as well. Kansas City is 10th in its usage of 21 personnel (6.1 percent of snaps). They have yet to record a snap in 22 personnel this season.
Kansas City almost had no choice
It does make sense if you have followed this Chiefs roster closely. The wide receiver room was viewed as arguably the greatest question mark entering the regular season. Sure, the pass rush is a wild card in some weeks when it comes to its overall production. But you cannot state that Kansas City failed to address the pass rush in multiple ways this offseason.
And now, with Tyquan Thornton injured, the Chiefs are dinged when looking at who is trusted to win down the field among wide receivers. Xavier Worthy had a solid showing in the game before the bye week. Can he hit on chunk gains and more chances down the field more consistently?
All in all, it is a team that could easily make an addition at wide receiver before the trade deadline. Pickings appear slimmer than most would suggest, however. Can they really just do nothing to beef up the room? Either way, perhaps we should have known that the Chiefs were destined to rank in the top 10 in multiple tight end package rates.
Chiefs' tight ends elevating individual play
On the flip side of the wide receiver question, Kansas City has received remarkable results from the tight ends early this season. Travis Kelce looks smoother in his routes and faster with the ball in his hands. He just did not have that same gear the prior two seasons. And with some offensive philosophy changes, Kelce is back to getting more easily accessible completions from Patrick Mahomes, rather than being as heavily blanketed by the defense as he had ever been in parts of last year.
Noah Gray is flashing here and there as well. In key situations during the first four games, Mahomes did not hesitate to give Gray chances to win one-on-one or after the catch. His showing against Miami was the most productive single outing that the tight end has had since 2024. Ideally, Gray is growing into a more secure option for Mahomes based on a couple of performances.
Finally, Jake Briningstool continues to log snaps over Jared Wiley. Wiley has been a healthy scratch/game-day inactive in the first month. Briningstool was a player who stood out in training camp in 2025. Injury allowed the Chiefs to stash him during the course of last season. It is clear how well the team likes him as a fit for these multiple tight end packages. Could that lead to more select targets coming his way in spots after the bye week?
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