The Kansas City Chiefs have a significant amount of roster concerns to address in a single offseason, but that list might grow a bit longer depending on whether or not Travis Kelce decides to return at tight end. While the position isn't completely devoid of talent behind him, the truth is that a Chiefs offense without Kelce is a problem to solve.
Kelce, at the present time, still hasn't made a decision on his status for 2026, and it's likely that the Chiefs' brass won't know for a few more weeks at the earliest. The dust is barely settled on a miserable 2025 campaign that featured Kelce's first year without a postseason game since 2014—his first healthy year in the NFL.
The one thing the Chiefs can count on is knowing something soon enough. Kelce has already said he doesn't want to leave the front office wondering what they need to do this spring.
If the Chiefs find the cap space and want to splurge at the position, a potential free agent target is there at tight end.
Should Kelce decide to walk away from the game after 13 incredible seasons putting together a first-ballot Hall of Fame resume, the Chiefs will undoubtedly make a major investment at the position one way or another. Perhaps that comes in the form of an early-round draft selection, but there are also free-agent options if general manager Brett Veach wants to go that route.
The most desirable target who could hit the open market is Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons, a player that Chiefs Kingdom has dreamed of adding to Patrick Mahomes' pass-catching arsenal since he first declared for the NFL Draft.
Pitts put together his best statistical season since his rookie campaign in 2021 with 88 catches for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns. It's good timing for such production in a contract year after averaging 43 catches for 542 yards in each of the last three seasons. Such limited impact was a major letdown for the Falcons offense after watching Pitts break the 1K-yard barrier in his rookie year in 2021.
As Kelce has gotten older, trade ideas for Pitts have opened up for Chiefs Kingdom before the NFL's trade deadline with the belief that a flailing Falcons franchise might appreciate draft assets instead of wasting Pitts' early seasons.
Spotrac places Pitts' market value in free agency at $14.6 million per season over a four-year commitment. That's a $58M contract for the Falcons' tight end. The Chiefs are projected to be way over the cap for 2026, but detractors who think they won't have the space to make the necessary moves aren't clued in to the facts. Restructures for Patrick Mahomes, Creed Humphrey, and/or Trey Smith will clear some room, while other veterans (i.e. Jawaan Taylor) will be released as well.
Of course, the Chiefs might have the money, but there are plenty of other areas for Veach to consider on the open market. Pass rusher, wide receiver, cornerback, running back, quarterback, and safety are all positions Veach could decide to spend in order to bolster a concern. However, if Kelce is gone and Veach is intent on keeping Mahomes happy, it would make sense for the Chiefs to call Pitts to see if a deal can get done.