‘Sneaky good’ NFL Draft pick to pave way for change to Travis Kelce role on new look Kansas City Chiefs

Mar 20, 2026 - 12:45

The Kansas City Chiefs could begin to plan for life after Travis Kelce, as soon as April this year.

Kelce briefly hit the open market, and there were immediate rumors he could shun the Chiefs to join the New York Giants.

Travis Kelce has a big decision to make as NFL free agency begins — Kelce is returning for a 14th NFL season

But one of the greatest tight ends of all time is set to don a Chiefs uniform once again, on a one-year, $12 million deal, with a maximum value of $15 million.

The one-year contract does indicate that this could be his final season in the NFL, and it’s unlikely he will be short of opportunities when he calls it a career

Kelce’s retirement decision once-again dominated the early offseason headlines, and although he returned this year, there will be an occasion when he calls it quits.

Coming off their disappointing 2025 season, the Chiefs need to start preparing for his departure, and the incoming tight end will have some big shoes to fill.

Sports Illustrated’s Zak Gilbert suggested Kansas City could select Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq as early as their No. 9 pick.

“So, should Brett Veach and Andy Reid, a former [Green Bay] Packers tight end coach, view Sadiq as a top-9 prospect in this draft, think of the possibilities – pure night-terrors for opponent coordinators,” Gilbert wrote.

“Imagine a second-and-6 with Kenneth Walker behind Patrick Mahomes in 12 personnel.

“On one snap, Kelce’s in the slot, Sadiq’s in tight end on the other side. Which player does the defense double?

“Don’t think of Sadiq replacing Kelce. Think of Sadiq proliferating Kelce, not to mention creating explosive runs for Walker.

“Sadiq is a sneaky good selection for the Chiefs, especially if they don’t like the length of Rueben Bain’s arms.”

Kenyon Sadiq #18 of the Oregon Ducks runs a route during tight end drills at the Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. — The Chiefs have been tipped to select Kenyon Sadiq in the first round of the NFL Draft

Kenyon Sadiq #TE23 of Oregon participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. — Sadiq could be the future Travis Kelce replacement in Kansas City

Sadiq finished with 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns for Oregon in 2025.

He was named First-team All-Big Ten and earned Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors.

Hype around Sadiq only increased after his jaw-dropping performance at the NFL Combine.

His 4.39 40-yard dash was the best ever by a tight end, his vertical jump at 43.5” was the second-best and his broad jump at 11’1” was the third-best ever.

What should also translate well into an Andy Reid offense, is his versatility as a route-runner.

Kelce’s ability to get open became a staple part of the Chiefs offense, particularly under the leadership and composure of Patrick Mahomes.

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 — Kelce could serve as a mentor for Sadiq, in what could be his final NFL season

Sadiq showed the ability to run a lot of different routes, which will be crucial in Reid’s tight end heavy schemes.

The expectation is that Kansas City will seriously consider selecting Sadiq and having one of the greatest players to play the position to mentor him would be a serious boost for the future.

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