Jared Wiley

Travis Kelce re-signed for 2026 (14th season), blocking the TE1 role entirely. With Kelce present and Noah Gray still under contract, Wiley is realistically TE3 or TE4 heading into 2026 — his path to meaningful snaps this season is very narrow.

Wiley tore his ACL in November 2024 and logged just 1 catch for 4 yards across 5 games in 2025, effectively burning two full developmental years. Now ~17-18 months post-surgery he should be near full health for 2026, but he has yet to establish any NFL production baseline.

The Chiefs are reportedly targeting a tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft per Arrowhead Addict. A drafted TE would add a third legitimate competitor (alongside Jake Briningstool) for the TE2 role, further crowding an already congested depth chart.

Wiley has logged a combined 2 receptions for 11 yards across two NFL seasons due to his ACL and subsequent depth chart burial. At 25, he is losing the developmental reps that most breakout TEs accumulate at his age.

His 53-man spot is no longer guaranteed; UDFAs Jake Briningstool and John Michael Gyllenborg are pushing for the TE4 job, meaning he could be cut rather than ascend.

Noah Gray's $7M cap hit is widely considered untenable after a career-worst 2025 (21 catches, 178 yards, 0 TDs), and multiple KC beat reporters have flagged a release or restructure as probable before the 2026 season. A Gray departure would immediately elevate Wiley into the TE2 competition.

Kelce is 36 and on a one-year deal for 2026, making Wiley a legitimate heir candidate for the 2027 season. Inheriting a primary TE role in Andy Reid's scheme with Patrick Mahomes under center would be an enormous dynasty value catalyst.

KC spent their 2026 draft capital on defense, RB (Emmett Johnson R5), WR (Cyrus Allen R5), and QB (Garrett Nussmeier R7) — zero TE additions. With no incoming draft competition, the succession race remains internal between Wiley and Gray, leaving Wiley's long-term ceiling fully intact.

At 6'6", 250+ lbs, Wiley has the prototypical frame for Reid's TE-heavy offense. If given consistent reps, his physical tools make him a credible upside asset for a dynasty manager willing to speculate on his 2027 breakout window.

Noah Gray is coming off a career-worst season (178 yards, 0 TD, 56.7% catch rate), leaving the TE2 role theoretically vulnerable if Wiley can finally show something in camp.