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Analyst Reveals Why Chiefs 'Shouldn't Rush' Travis Kelce Issue

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 8:48 AM ET

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is entering his 13th NFL season, with the future Hall of Famer likely going on his farewell tour in 2025.

For some, Kelce will take a lesser offensive load under Andy Reid as the franchise looks to transition away from relying heavily on No. 87 in 2025.

Another thread to pull is that the Chiefs could be looking to draft Kelce's replacement as in an ideal world, a younger tight end to sit and learn from one of the best to ever do it and then take over in 12 months time is perhaps seen as a great plan of action.

But ESPN's Ben Solak isn't sold on that idea; instead, wanting to see what options are already on the roster.

"Tight end looks like a big need, with Travis Kelce turning 36 this season, but I'm interested to see what 2024 fourth-round pick Jared Wiley has to offer, so I wouldn't rush to make a selection," Solak writes.

Wiley, who was drafted in 2024, only registered one catch for seven yards last season, playing 94 total snaps, so he is still very much a work in progress.

With other options in the draft, such as Mason Taylor and Colston Loveland, the Chiefs could look at that duo as potential Kelce replacements, and with Wiley building his game as he enters Year 2, Kansas City could have some nice options when Kelce retires.

But we don't think having Wiley should stop the Chiefs from looking at the tight end position in the draft, and we bet it won't.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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