The Kansas City Chiefs have found a lot of success over the last couple of years when utilizing multiple tight end sets. Of course, having arguably the greatest tight end to ever play, Travis Kelce, helps quite a bit. But when tapping into that offensive personnel, the Chiefs have been able to confuse and frustrate opposing defenses.
Kansas City has seen their number two tight end, Noah Gray, continue to grow within the offensive ecosystem. His strong hands and size make him difficult to bring down after the catch. Meanwhile, those attributes also lead to solid results as a blocker. With his ability to win physically, Gray does not always have to rely on ample separation to make most of his damage.
Elsewhere, the Chiefs have two new additions to the tight end room this season. Rookie Jared Wiley is a fascinating piece with his immense size and vertical ability coming out of TCU. What kind of snaps will he receive as an incoming draft pick? The Chiefs also signed veteran Irv Smith Jr. in free agency this offseason. While his numbers have been limited in terms of production, Smith Jr. has found a role as a blocking tight end more recently.
With so many options to work with, Kansas City could draw up many different tricks when utilizing multiple tight end sets in 2024. How could those sets evolve this upcoming season?
Having Multiple Big Bodies In The Slot
The nice thing about multiple tight end sets in Kansas City, is the well-rounded abilities of the unit. Kelce has been used in the slot or flexed out wide a great amount in the last few years. You have to then respect him working over the middle of the field if you are the defense. But with Kelce's savvy and smooth nature, he is able to win just as often with outside leverage as well.
With the size of the overall tight end room, the Chiefs could play around with having multiple big bodies work from the slot within multiple tight end sets. Wiley has the quickness and strong feel to find the soft spots in zones, based on his time with the Horned Frogs. If you attack defenses with Kelce and Wiley going from the slot, defenders are going to have to pick their poison when rolling to either tight end.
If you place multiple big bodies in the slot, the Chiefs can also use those size factors as decoys. Kansas City added even more speed to the wide receiver room this offseason. If that size can lead to defenses playing the Chiefs deep over the top, the speedsters will have a tremendous amount of room to work with underneath.
New Tight End Screen Designs
There is nobody better than Andy Reid at designing screens in the passing game. We have seen wide receivers, running backs and tight ends alike pop off for massive gains on these sorts of designs. With multiple tight end sets, the Chiefs could look to attack with tight end screens from different spots on the field.
Do not rule out a tunnel screen to Kelce or Wiley working out of the slot and coming towards the pocket. On the other hand, Kansas City may incorporate their technically sound slip screens to include the tight ends more. It would be surprising to see Reid take chances with some of these tight ends lining up in the backfield or as pseudo fullbacks, to boot.
With the Chiefs being able to alter their pace when passing, teams could get caught with a number of different tight end screen designs being added to the fold.
How The Run Game Could Open Up
Kansas City is generally not going to be as balanced as other teams. Last season, they had to eventually transition into a more even attack of running and passing. And in the playoffs, that worked out enough to make the Chiefs back-to-back Super Bowl champions. But knowing Coach Reid's history, the Chiefs will likely air it out a greater amount of time.
Even still, the use of multiple tight end sets could help the run game evolve more in 2024. We have seen the broken tackle ability and the power of Isiah Pacheco give opponents fits. But once in a while, we get a glimpse of the quickness that Pacheco has in the open field. Perhaps, multiple tight end sets can allow for more runs to the outside and in the open field for the lead running back.
Kansas City has a great chance to stabilize defenders with their stout offensive line already. The Chiefs are not afraid to dish out a fair amount of climb blocks or double team blocks. With multiple tight end sets, KC can look to lock up defenders on the edge and climb to second level to corral linebackers. If the Chiefs become efficient running the ball out of multiple tight end looks, defenses will have no choice but to play things conservatively.
Clearing Out Routes To Help Out The Wide Receivers
Getting multiple tight ends on the field has been key in the red zone and in crucial situations for Kansas City in recent seasons. We've seen the Chiefs make some pass plays look simpler than they really are in tense moments. And with bigger-bodied pass catchers, there are many ways that Kansas City can affect defenses by not giving them the ball.
Most of all, the Chiefs could use multiple tight ends to clear out traffic and clutter for the wide receivers. This can be done by having the tight ends clear out space both vertically and horizontally in passing concepts. All told, Kansas City has not been as potent in the deep passing game recently. But with many different looks that the Chiefs can present with these tight ends, you could see more looks open up down the field.
When clearing out vertically, underneath routes may also be straightforward in the quick passing game. With multiple tight end sets, the clear-out routes can create even more space and time for Patrick Mahomes. If that comes to fruition, Kansas City can really dive deep into the playbook for 2024.