The Kansas City Chiefs only have one more year with Travis Kelce before the future Hall of Famer retires from the NFL, meaning it may not be too early to identify his replacement.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a timer counting down the days they have left with tight end Travis Kelce. Months of retirement speculation bled into their playoff run and became a major talking point before and after Super Bowl LIX.

Kelce since provided his answer, informing the team he would be back for one more season before hanging up his cleats and pads for good.

That brings plenty of mixed emotions. Chiefs Kingdom will miss seeing their beloved tight end on the field but he will leave the game with one of the most decorated resumés for a player at his position in NFL history.

At the same time, Kansas City must consider their future. While Kelce has his sights set on an eventual retirement, franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes is entering his prime years and has plenty left to give the Chiefs over the next decade.

That means the Chiefs would be wise to consider adding Kelce’s replacement now before times get too desperate next offseason. Anthony Palacios of Last Word On Sports believes the Chiefs should cross division lines to identify their future No. 1 at the position and trade for Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Kelce is looking for vengeance, but he won’t last for more than a year, so they need to start planning for the future. Mahomes does well bringing out the best in a target, and even though Mayer hasn’t found his footing yet, he could change things around in his career with one of the most complete teams in the league,” Palacios wrote.

Part of Mayer’s struggles have come as a result of an unclear role in his offense. Originally drafted to become the No. 1 for the Raiders, they pivoted to Brock Bowers last offseason and reasonably so.

A change of scenery could also benefit Mayer who was heralded as the best tight end by some analysts in the 2023 class. Andy Reid has a way of getting positive production out of all the pieces deployed in his offensive arsenal, so that guidance could play even more into the young player’s hands.

Convincing a hated division rival to make this deal would be a supreme obstacle. But the central point stands. While the Chiefs enjoy their final campaign with Kelce, they are best served examining what they need to maintain once he departs.