The Kansas City Chiefs are facing the potential retirement of star tight end Travis Kelce after a challenging 2025 season. However, a glimmer of hope emerged for the team during Thursday’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In a stunning upset victory for the Falcons, Kyle Pitts delivered a stellar performance, catching 11 passes for 166 yards and all three of Kirk Cousins’ passing touchdowns. This outstanding display made Pitts the first tight end since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996 to achieve at least 150 yards and three touchdowns in a single game.
After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris revealed that Pitts’ dominance was part of the game plan. This impressive performance caught the attention of USA Today’s Art Stapleton, who made a bold comparison on social media, stating, “Chiefs are going to sign Kyle Pitts to replace Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes is going to turn him into Tony Gonzalez.”
Currently in the final year of his contract, Pitts has struggled to replicate his standout rookie season form that earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. However, his recent performance has seen him surpass 700 receiving yards for the first time since his rookie year and tie his career-high in receiving touchdowns at four.
As the question of Travis Kelce’s retirement looms, the Chiefs may be considering other options to bolster their tight end position. One potential solution could be through the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.
PFSN’s James Fragoza has highlighted Michael Trigg as a third-round draft prospect. Trigg, a standout player from Baylor, has showcased his talent with 50 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns. Fragoza believes Trigg’s exceptional catch radius and pass-catching abilities could make him a top 100 selection in the draft.
In a recent mock draft, Saturday Blitz’s Nicholas Rome predicted that the Chiefs could use their 14th overall pick to select Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon. Sadiq has seen a significant increase in production since joining the team in 2023, leading the Ducks in receptions (40) and receiving touchdowns (8).
The 2026 NFL draft is scheduled to take place from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with extensive media coverage on ESPN’s family of channels.
As the Chiefs weigh their options for the future of their tight end position, the potential addition of Kyle Pitts or a promising draft pick like Michael Trigg or Kenyon Sadiq could provide a new dynamic to their offense. Only time will tell how the team will address the looming retirement of Travis Kelce and strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
