Tight End Depth an Offseason Question Mark for the Chiefs - Even If Kelce Returns
The Kansas City Chiefs are once again staring down a pivotal offseason, and while all eyes are on whether Travis Kelce will return for another run in red and gold, the tight end room as a whole is facing some real questions. Kelce’s return would certainly bring back a future Hall of Famer and the heartbeat of the passing game, but it wouldn’t solve everything. In fact, it might just highlight how thin things have gotten behind him.
Let’s start with Noah Gray. The Chiefs made a commitment to Gray with a contract extension that signaled they believed he could eventually carry the torch from Kelce.
But this past season, Gray didn’t just plateau-he regressed. It was his least productive campaign since becoming Kansas City’s No. 2 tight end, and that puts a cloud over his long-term role in the offense.
Then there’s Jared Wylie, a recent draft pick who, to this point, hasn’t shown enough to inspire confidence that he’s ready for a bigger role.
For a team that once leaned heavily into multi-tight end sets, the current depth chart doesn’t offer much in the way of reassurance. If Kelce does decide to hang it up sooner than expected, the Chiefs could be staring at a full-blown reset at the position.
Now, if Kelce does return-as most around the league expect-Kansas City will still need to get creative to retool the tight end group. Cap space is tight, and while a splashy move like chasing a name such as Kyle Pitts or even bringing in a veteran like Zach Ertz could be floated, those options come with price tags and long-term implications. The draft could be another avenue, but unless the Chiefs spend a top-100 pick on a tight end, it’s more of a developmental gamble than a plug-and-play solution.
That’s why this offseason may be about finding value. Affordable, under-the-radar free agents who can bring something specific to the table-whether it’s blocking, red-zone ability, or untapped upside. Here are three names that fit that mold and could quietly help stabilize the tight end room in 2026.
1. Charlie Kolar - Baltimore Ravens - 6’6”, 265 lbs, 27 years old
If the Chiefs are looking for a low-cost option with real upside, Charlie Kolar is a name to watch. A former fourth-round pick by the Ravens, Kolar hasn’t had much of a chance to show what he can do in the passing game, stuck behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely on the depth chart. But don’t let the limited targets fool you-there’s more to his game.
Kolar logged 275 run-blocking snaps last season, the 22nd-most among all tight ends. And here’s the kicker: among the 21 tight ends who blocked more, only two graded out better in run blocking, per Pro Football Focus. In short, he’s already one of the league’s most efficient blocking tight ends.
But go back to his college days, and Kolar was a legitimate receiving threat. Over 2,000 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns at Iowa State show that the pass-catching chops are there. The Ravens molded him into a blocking specialist because they didn’t need another receiver at tight end-but in the right system, he could offer more.
If another team sees the potential and throws starter money at him, the Chiefs probably can’t compete. But if the market views him as a role player, Kansas City could land a bargain. He’d immediately boost the run game and could eventually challenge for a larger role if Kelce steps away and Gray doesn’t step up.
2. Mo Alie-Cox - Indianapolis Colts - 6’5”, 267 lbs, 32 years old
If Kolar ends up out of reach financially, Mo Alie-Cox is a veteran option who could bring toughness and experience at a price that fits the Chiefs’ cap situation. He’s not going to replace Kelce or even push Gray for receiving snaps, but he’d add valuable depth and bring a skill set the current roster lacks.
Alie-Cox has been in the league for eight seasons and has carved out a niche as a reliable blocker and red-zone target. He’s got 127 career catches for 1,550 yards and 16 touchdowns-not eye-popping, but respectable production for a TE2. His 7-foot wingspan and strong hands (just a 4% drop rate) make him a go-to target near the goal line.
Physically, he’s a load. Two inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than Gray, Alie-Cox is built to handle short-yardage blocking assignments that Gray struggles with. Last year, the Colts brought him back on a one-year deal with a $1.4 million cap hit-only slightly more than what Kansas City paid Robert Tonyan in 2025.
If the Chiefs can land him on a similar deal, Alie-Cox would be a smart addition. He wouldn’t just be a backup; he’d be a role player who fills specific needs-blocking in tight spaces and giving Mahomes another big-bodied option near the end zone.
3. Chris Manhertz - New York Giants - 6’6”, 235 lbs, 33 years old
If you’re looking for a name that’s truly flying under the radar, Chris Manhertz is your guy. A 10-year NFL veteran with just 30 career receptions, he’s not going to turn heads in the passing game. But that’s not why he’s still in the league.
Manhertz has carved out a decade-long career because he blocks like a lineman and contributes on special teams. He’s exactly the kind of player who lets you rest Kelce in short-yardage situations without sacrificing physicality at the line of scrimmage.
Last season, the Giants signed him for just $1.2 million-again, right in the range of what Kansas City paid for Tonyan. If the Chiefs want a low-cost, high-effort veteran who can block, handle special teams, and provide depth, Manhertz is as practical as it gets.
No, he won’t compete for starting reps. But he could play a role that’s currently missing on the roster-and in a tight cap situation, that kind of specialist matters.
The Bottom Line
Bringing back Travis Kelce would be a huge win for Kansas City, but it doesn’t erase the growing concerns at tight end. The Chiefs need to think beyond 2026 and start building a room that can function even when No. 87 eventually steps away.
Whether it’s taking a swing on untapped potential like Charlie Kolar, adding a steady veteran like Mo Alie-Cox, or plugging a depth hole with Chris Manhertz, Kansas City has options. None of them are headline-grabbers, but all three could quietly help the Chiefs stay balanced-and dangerous-on offense.
The tight end room might not be the flashiest storyline of the offseason, but it could be one of the most important.