Chiefs Viewed as Top Landing Spot for All-Pro TE Kyle Pitts

Kansas City could pair Pitts with veteran Travis Kelce to create a dominant tight end duo.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:42pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting an American football game in progress, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping planes of color and shape, creating a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of a high-stakes matchup between two elite NFL tight ends, hinting at the strategic chess match unfolding on the field.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Chiefs have been identified as a top potential landing spot for free agent tight end Kyle Pitts. Pitts is coming off an All-Pro season with the Atlanta Falcons and could provide a valuable complement to Chiefs veteran Travis Kelce, who is nearing the end of his career. The Chiefs have a history of elite tight end play, and adding Pitts could allow them to manage Kelce's workload while securing the future at the position.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' offense has been built around Kelce's dominance at tight end for nearly a decade. Bringing in a young, dynamic talent like Pitts could allow the team to seamlessly transition to the next era while maintaining their status as one of the NFL's most potent offenses.

The details

Pitts, 25, is coming off a 2025 season in which he caught 88 passes for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns, earning his first career All-Pro selection. The Chiefs could look to pair him with the 34-year-old Kelce, who is still playing at a high level but may need more rest and reduced snaps as he enters the twilight of his career. This would allow the Chiefs to preserve Kelce for the postseason while giving them a formidable one-two punch at tight end.

  • Kelce is entering his 11th season with the Chiefs in 2026.
  • Pitts is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Travis Kelce

A veteran tight end who has spent his entire 11-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs, making 8 Pro Bowls and winning a Super Bowl. He is considered a future Hall of Famer.

Kyle Pitts

A 25-year-old tight end who has spent the first 5 seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons, earning his first career All-Pro selection in 2025 after catching 88 passes for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, known for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to develop elite tight end talent.

Brett Veach

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, responsible for building the team's roster and identifying key free agent targets.

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What they’re saying

“General manager Brett Veach can acquire Pitts to continue the elite lineage of tight ends in Kansas City's recent history. Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez played for the team from 1997 to 2008. A handful of years after the Chiefs traded him to the Atlanta Falcons, they selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 draft. One day, he'll be in the enshrined in Canton, Ohio as well.”

— Moe Moton, Bleacher Report Writer

“The Chiefs could pair Kelce with Pitts, who would take the franchise tight-end baton from the future Hall of Famer. ... In this scenario, Kelce would likely see a reduced role, which would preserve him for the season.”

— Moe Moton, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The Chiefs will need to determine if they can fit Pitts' contract demands into their salary cap while also retaining Kelce. If they are able to sign Pitts, they will then need to determine how to best utilize both tight ends in their offense.

The takeaway

The potential addition of Kyle Pitts would give the Chiefs one of the most formidable tight end duos in the NFL, allowing them to seamlessly transition from the Kelce era while maintaining their status as an offensive juggernaut. This move could pay dividends for years to come as the team looks to continue its championship contention.