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 practice during November 2024, costing him most of his rookie year. He returned in 2025 but logged only 28 offensive snaps across 5 games, raising questions about his full physical recovery and the coaching staff's trust level.

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.

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.

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.

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.