The Kansas City Chiefs may soon find themselves facing a reality fans have long dreaded: life after Travis Kelce. With the veteran tight end nearing the twilight of his career following a grueling 2025 season, the conversation around his eventual replacement is heating up - and after Thursday night, a new name has entered the chat in a big way.
Kyle Pitts, the Atlanta Falcons’ talented but often underutilized tight end, reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when fully unleashed. In the Falcons’ 29-28 upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pitts put on a performance for the ages: 11 catches, 166 yards, and all three of Kirk Cousins’ touchdown passes.
That stat line doesn’t just pop - it echoes through history. Pitts became the first tight end since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996 to post at least 150 yards and three touchdowns in a single game.
After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Pitts’ breakout was part of the game plan all along - and if that’s true, it begs the question: why haven’t we seen more of this version of Kyle Pitts?
That’s exactly what caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. One bold prediction made waves on social media: the idea that the Chiefs could sign Pitts in free agency to replace Kelce, with Patrick Mahomes turning him into the next Tony Gonzalez. It's a lofty comparison, sure, but after watching Pitts torch Tampa Bay’s defense, it doesn’t feel entirely out of reach.
Pitts is currently in the final year of his rookie deal. While he hasn’t quite recaptured the 1,000-yard magic of his 2021 Pro Bowl rookie season, Thursday’s explosion pushed him past the 700-yard mark for the first time since that campaign. He’s also matched his career-high in touchdowns with four - and there are still a few games to go.
The idea of Pitts catching passes from Mahomes is tantalizing. Pitts brings a rare blend of size, speed, and receiving ability, and in the right system - especially one as tight end-friendly as Andy Reid’s - he could thrive. The Chiefs have long used their tight end as a focal point of the offense, and while no one can truly replace what Kelce has meant to this team, Pitts might be the closest thing to a seamless transition.
Still, if free agency doesn’t yield the answer, Kansas City has other options. The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a solid one for tight end talent, and the Chiefs are already being linked to a few intriguing prospects.
One name to watch is Michael Trigg out of Baylor. He’s been a standout this season, hauling in 50 catches for 694 yards and six touchdowns.
While he’s currently projected as a Day 2 pick, Trigg’s athleticism and catch radius have some scouts seeing first-round upside. He’s the kind of player who could develop into a weapon with the right coaching and system fit - and Kansas City might be just that.
Then there’s Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon, a name that’s been rising up draft boards. In a recent mock draft, the Chiefs were projected to take Sadiq with the 14th overall pick.
He leads the Ducks in receptions (40) and touchdowns (8), showing a knack for finding the end zone and making plays in traffic. Sadiq’s production has taken a major leap since his commitment in 2023, and he profiles as a modern, moveable tight end who could fit well into the Chiefs’ dynamic offense.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and it’s clear Kansas City will be doing their homework. Whether they find Kelce’s successor in free agency or the draft, the search is very much underway.
One thing’s for sure: replacing a future Hall of Famer like Travis Kelce isn’t about finding a clone. It’s about finding someone who can bring their own strengths to the table while keeping the offense humming.
Kyle Pitts showed he might be ready to take that leap. And if the Chiefs come calling, he could be the next star tight end to thrive in red and gold.