Travis Kelce’s roster spot is secure. The future Hall of Famer delivered 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns in 2025, ranking among the top producers at the tight end position in the NFL that year. Kelce is set to begin his 14th season with the Chiefs, continuing a storied tenure that has established him as one of the most productive pass-catchers in league history. His record includes an NFL-best streak of at least 80 receptions in 12 consecutive seasons (2013–2024) and a 12-season run with at least 800 receiving yards, tied for the longest in NFL history with Jerry Rice. In postseason play, Kelce has 178 catches (the most all-time), 2,078 receiving yards (second only to Rice) and 20 touchdowns (second to Rice). His continued presence is a given as the Chiefs head into another season.
Joining Kelce is Noah Gray, who brings extensive experience in Kansas City’s offense. In 2025, Gray caught 21 passes for 178 yards. He posted career-best numbers in 2024, finishing with 40 receptions, 437 yards and five touchdowns. Beyond his receiving duties, Gray contributed on special teams, leading the Chiefs in offensive snaps on special teams with 125 last season. His versatility keeps him in the competition for a larger role as training camp unfolds.
Another familiar face is Jared Wiley, a fourth-round pick who began his career with Kansas City amid a challenging start. Wiley, who played at Texas Christian University, was limited by a torn ACL in his rookie year, delaying his return in 2025. He has appeared in 12 NFL games over two seasons, including five last year. Now healthy, Wiley has another opportunity to demonstrate the potential that made him a top prospect in his draft class. In his final college season at TCU, he led all FBS tight ends with eight touchdown catches, underscoring his scoring upside.
Beyond Kelce, Gray and Wiley, several other contenders will vie for a single remaining roster spot. Jake Briningstool, an undrafted free agent in 2025 out of Clemson, could be one of the most intriguing players to watch in camp. Briningstool impressed during the offseason program, but a hamstring injury cut his rookie season short before he could debut. He arrived in the NFL with an impressive college résumé, recording 99 receptions for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Clemson, including frequent plays from the slot. He also set a Clemson tight end record with 127 career receptions. Evaluators widely noted Briningstool’s potential, and he will have another chance to contend for a roster spot.
Other young tight ends in the mix include John Michael Gyllenborg and Mason Pline. Gyllenborg, a Leawood, Kansas native and Wyoming alum, has traits that could help him earn a place on the roster. At Wyoming, he posted 80 receptions for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns, and he posted a strong athletic profile, including a standout broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. Pline joined the Chiefs in June after earning a contract through a successful minicamp tryout. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 254 pounds, Pline is a former college basketball player who transitioned to football and has entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with potential upside.
Tre Watson completes the seven-man group. A 6-foot-4, 247-pound tight end, Watson spent the entire 2025 season on Kansas City’s practice squad after playing college football at Fresno State and Texas A&M. While the path to the roster is crowded, Watson’s development and continued exposure to the Chiefs’ system could help him carve out a role.
The Chiefs previously carried a familiar trio on their initial 53-man roster: Kelce, Gray, Jared Wiley, and veteran Robert Tonyan. With Tonyan no longer with the team, there could be an opening for one of the promising youngsters—Briningstool, Gyllenborg, Pline or Watson—to claim the final tight end spot.
As training camp approaches, the tight end group will be watched closely for chemistry with the starting offense, blocking effectiveness, versatility in two-tight-end and multiple-sets formations, and the ability to contribute on special teams. Kelce’s durability and production set the baseline, but the supporting cast will determine how the position evolves for Kansas City in 2026.
Key takeaways:
– Kelce’s roster status is firmly secured for a 14th season, given his historic production and impact.
– Gray’s experience and special-teams value keep him in the mix for expanded responsibilities.
– Wiley’s return from injury will be a critical factor in assessing his long-term fit with the offense.
– Briningstool, Gyllenborg, Pline and Watson will battle for the final tight end roster spot, offering a mix of high upside, college credentials, and athletic versatility.
– The Chiefs’ history of rostering four tight ends in Week 1 in recent seasons suggests that only a portion of this seven-man group will survive final cuts, underscoring the high level of competition at the position.
This stance aligns with the team’s strategic emphasis on a versatile, productive tight end corps capable of contributing in both passing and blocking schemes, while also maintaining a roster that supports special teams performance.
