For the last few seasons, it has been a yearly tradition to guess if this is the year that the Kansas City Chiefs try to find a replacement for Travis Kelce. Firmly in the twilight of his career, Kelce hasn’t put together the kind of elite-level play that has made him one of the greatest tight ends in history in quite some time. For an offense that has struggled over the last two seasons, it is time to hand someone else the reins.
That is where the 2026 NFL Draft comes in. With tight ends becoming an essential commodity in the league, we have seen many elite prospects, like Tyler Warren and Brock Bowers, come in the first round in recent years. One analyst believes the trend could continue next season, with the Chiefs finally taking the plunge in life after Kelce.
Who Could Replace Travis Kelce on the Chiefs?
In 2023, the three-time Super Bowl champion failed to crack the 1,000-yard mark for the first time since the 2015 season. However, he could still kick it up a notch in the playoffs, tallying 355 yards en route to his third ring.
Last season, though, that turnaround did not happen. Tallying 823 yards in the regular season, Kelce could not find that next gear in the postseason, totaling just 175 yards through three games.
This year, too, has gotten off to a slow start for the 10-time Pro Bowler. Through three games, he has just 134 yards and one touchdown, despite Kansas City desperately needing some production after starting the season without Rashee Rice and losing Xavier Worthy on the first possession of the year.
It seems clear that Kelce isn’t the same player he once used to be. As a result, Owain Jones of PFSN believes 2026 will finally be the year the Chiefs look for his successor. In his mock draft, he believes that the player could be Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon.
“Kenyon Sadiq is a tremendously impactful pass-catching prospect. He showcases rare athleticism and mobility to deploy an expansive route tree. Vertically, the Oregon tight end uses his remarkable arm length and muscular build to power through contact.”
But for a team whose biggest struggle in the Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was the offensive line, Sadiq offers an added advantage. As Jones described it, he has a “willingness and competitive toughness as a blocker.”
That could translate well professionally and give Patrick Mahomes exactly what he needs. If Kelce’s end is indeed near, then the Chiefs could do a lot worse than take a swing at Sadiq in the first round next year.