Travis Kelce is back for a 14th season. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess.
That uncertain future at tight end is what drives some Kansas City Chiefs fans crazy about the current roster. Kelce was, again, one of the top players at his position in 2025, and there's every reason to believe he has enough in the tank to produce at a high level again in '26. But for such an important position, the level of play could drop precipitously as a new era unfolds for Patrick Mahomes and company.
On paper, the worry over the future at tight end makes sense. The Chiefs made zero investments at the position, which means they're once again leaning on an aging Kelce, who is likely to retire at season's end, to go with veteran Noah Gray as TE2. From there, the list of names competing for spots on the depth chart is uninspired, ranging from former fourth-round pick Jared Wiley to undrafted hopefuls like Jake Briningstool, Tre Watson, and John Michael Gyllenborg.
But fans might be getting the story wrong. The long-running narrative is that tight end is a tough position to learn, that elite players need considerable runway to be elite. That might prove true in some respects, but early picks in recent drafts have been altering that idea—or at least proving that exceptions exist. A look at the list shows that the last five first-round tight ends each grabbed 600 receiving yards or more as a rookie.
If the Chiefs are staring down a void at tight end once Kelce hangs it up, recent draft history suggests that a premium pick might provide instant relief.
Kyle Pitts, ATL (2021)
Pitts was selected fourth overall by the Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft and immediately looked like the most talented tight end prospect in a generation. His 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie were the most in 50 years—since Mike Ditka in 1961. Pitts was recently locked up with a lucrative extension, a sign that he's viewed as an offensive centerpiece by a new regime in Atlanta.
Dalton Kincaid, BUF (2023)
A first-round pick out of Utah, Kincaid slid into Buffalo's offensive plans in 2023 and caught 73 passes for 673 yards and 2 touchdowns as a rookie. He was good enough to be a featured weapon in the passing game for Josh Allen from day one and provides a stellar one-two punch at the position along with Dawson Knox.
Brock Bowers, LV (2024)
Brock Bowers is the new standard-bearer as Kelce's career nears its completion. The Raiders tight end altered the rookie record book by hauling in 112 catches for 1,194 yards and 5 touchdowns, which broke Ditka's mark of 1,076—all while catching passes from three different quarterbacks.
Colston Loveland, CHI (2025)
The 10th overall selection in the 2025 draft started slow, with just 11 catches to show for his first six games. However, Loveland became a vital target for Caleb Williams down the stretch, finishing with 58 receptions for 713 yards and 6 touchdowns. With an additional 12 catches for 193 yards in two postseason games, Loveland is trending toward a dominant second season.
Tyler Warren, IND (2025)
Indianapolis took some heat for taking Tyler Warren at No. 14 overall in the '25 draft, but the Penn State product answered the criticism by setting the Colts' franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end. Warren finished the season with 76 receptions for 817 yards and 4 touchdowns and provided even greater versatility by lining up at halfback, fullback, and even wildcat quarterback.
None of this is to say that we're predicting the Chiefs will take a first-round tight end in 2027. The front office certainly will have other positions to focus on and a lot can change in a year. But the idea that the Chiefs need to have their future already figured out at tight end is a myth. It's possible to find someone who moves the meter after Kelce is gone—whenever that is—without having to secure his services ahead of time.
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