Chiefs Predicted To Sign 15-TD All-Pro TE in Free Agency As Travis Kelce's Long-Term Successor

Kyle Pitts could be the heir to the football legend in Kansas City.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly bracing for life after star tight end Travis Kelce, who is 36 years old and operating on a year-to-year timeline. As a result, the Chiefs are eyeing 25-year-old tight end Kyle Pitts, who is coming off a second-team All-Pro season with the Atlanta Falcons, as a potential long-term replacement for Kelce.

Why it matters

Pitts, a former first-round draft pick, has the potential to be a dominant receiving threat at tight end, much like Kelce has been for the Chiefs. Pairing Pitts with quarterback Patrick Mahomes could create a formidable offensive duo for years to come as the Chiefs look to evolve their offense and maintain their status as an AFC powerhouse.

The details

After years of uneven quarterback play and shifting offensive identities in Atlanta, Pitts finally broke out in 2025, hauling in 88 receptions for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and finished eighth in the league in Tight End Impact (TEi) metric. Pitts' receiver-like fluidity in a 6-foot-6 frame makes him an ideal fit for the Chiefs' tight end-centric offense under head coach Andy Reid.

  • In 2025, Pitts had a breakout season with the Falcons, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
  • Kelce is 36 years old and operating on a year-to-year timeline, leading the Chiefs to explore options to replace the future Hall of Famer.

The players

Kyle Pitts

A 25-year-old tight end who is coming off a second-team All-Pro season with the Atlanta Falcons, where he had 88 receptions for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Travis Kelce

The 36-year-old star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, who has been a constant and a third-down inevitability for the team's offense.

Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs' star quarterback, who is known for his improvisational style of play and would likely benefit from having a receiving threat like Pitts in the offense.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has long treated the tight end position as a featured character in his offense rather than a supporting role.

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What’s next

The Chiefs will need to navigate a tight salary cap situation in order to potentially sign Pitts, either via free agency or a trade with the Falcons. Atlanta can franchise tag Pitts at an estimated $16 million for 2026, so the Chiefs would need to be creative in their approach to land the young tight end.

The takeaway

The potential addition of Kyle Pitts would represent a significant evolution for the Chiefs' offense as they look to maintain their status as an AFC powerhouse in the post-Travis Kelce era. Pairing Pitts' unique skill set with Patrick Mahomes' improvisational abilities could create a dynamic new offensive identity in Kansas City.