The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the most legendary tight ends in the NFL in Travis Kelce, who’s the Chiefs’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and all-purpose yards, according to NFL research.
But at 36, Kelce is getting up there in age, and every time a season wraps up, he’s asked if he’s ready to retire from the league.
So, the 2025-26 season could be the final one for Kelce, and even if it isn’t, the Chiefs would be wise to look ahead and plan for a future superstar tight end to take his place. Kelce is nearing the end of his career, and whether that happens after this season or down the road, it’s inevitable that it will happen soon.
While snagging a rookie tight end to replace a veteran such as Kelce may seem like a risk, there’s one rising college prospect who could be fit for the job.
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq is considered the best tight end in the 2026 draft class. During the 2024 season, he caught 24 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the Big Ten championship game.
A to Z Sports’ Travis May says the Chiefs would be smart to pick Sadiq up in the first round of the draft next April.
“The Chiefs are eventually going to have to move on from Travis Kelce and Kenyon Sadiq could be the man for the job,” he noted. “He’s going to test as the most athletic tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft class at the NFL Combine next spring, he can hurdle defenders, win up the seam, and he’s improving as a blocker as well. … The Chiefs won’t regret taking a player with this kind of potential in the first round.”
There’s still a lot of season left before the Chiefs star thinking about the 2026 NFL draft.
Right now, the Chiefs are focused on their first game coming out of the bye week against the Denver Broncos on the road. The Chiefs have a 5-4 record going into the game, while the Broncos are 8-2.
