The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to having generational tight ends on their roster. First, it was Fred Arbanas in the '60s, then Tony Gonzalez in the late '90s and 2000s, and, as everyone is aware, Travis Kelce has led the way at the position in the '10s and '20s.
Kelce is back for another year in Kansas City and, in all likelihood, this will be his swan song in the NFL. The 36-year-old Ohio native is entering his 14th year in the league with the hope of adding one final Super Bowl ring to his collection.
Perhaps the return of Kelce was why Brett Veach ultimately didn't do much at the tight end position this offseason—in fact, he didn't touch it at all. It was an interesting decision, because it's not as if there aren't other questions besides the obvious at the top of the depth chart.
Chiefs' current situation at tight end
Kelce, the unquestioned starter at tight end, has been declining. That's to be expected for a player with 13 years of wear and tear in the NFL. Even so, Kelce led the team in receiving yards a season ago with 851 yards, but it was clear that he was slower and not quite the same player who once dominated defenses.
If Kelce gets dinged up and has to miss time, Noah Gray will step into the starting role. The Duke product has been with the Chiefs since the franchise spent a fifth-round pick on him in 2021. His best year came in 2024 when he racked up 40 catches for 437 yards and found the end zone five times. That was good timing, considering K.C. had signed Gray to a three-year extension right before that performance, indicating that they had made the right call, at least initially.
After posting career highs in 2024, Gray's decline in 2025 was very concerning, with just 21 catches for 178 yards and nary a single touchdown. With one year left on his deal, this year is a chance for Gray to prove whether he can be Kelce's successor or if the Chiefs will need to find another answer next spring.
Next, we have Jared Wiley, who many Chiefs fans thought would be Kelce's official successor when the time came for him to retire. Wiley heard his name called in the fourth round of the 2024 draft out of TCU, and he was an exciting prospect for the fan base. He had 520 yards and 8 touchdowns during his final season with the Horned Frogs, and Chiefs fans were licking their chops at the idea of him and Patrick Mahomes forming a connection for the future of the position.
Unfortunately, things have not gone according to plan for Wiley in the NFL. He tore his ACL during his rookie year, and the effects of that were prevalent during his sophomore season in the pros. Through two years, Wiley has just two catches for 11 yards. That's not what the Chiefs were expecting when they spent an early Day 3 pick on him.
Jake Briningstool generated a lot of excitement this time last year but, sadly, he suffered an injury early in training camp and missed the entire season. Some are still high on the Clemson product, but he's a rookie free agent who has yet to play, so expectations should be measured accordingly. Tre Watson and Mason Pline aren't threats to make the active roster
Still no post-Kelce plan
This offseason felt like the ideal time for a decent investment in a tight end prospect. With Kelce still around, a rookie could have learned from a legend, with other veteran help around him to ease any transition. But the Chiefs used their resources to shore up other concerns, which means those behind Kelce get one more chance to show what they can do. Perhaps Gray can surprise with a rebound season. Maybe Wiley can pull through with another year removed from a major injury. It's possible Briningstool or another developmental prospect could surprise everyone at the position.
Having a talented tight end like Kelce for over a decade has certainly spoiled Chiefs fans. The reality of the situation at the position, however, is that it's tough to find a really good tight end and that's what the fan base could discover when Kelce hangs up the cleats.
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