There was a noteworthy change in the NFL on Tuesday, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Mike Tomlin told the team that he plans to step away after 19 seasons at the helm for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It's a massive shift across the NFL landscape, and it will undoubtedly trigger subsequent moves in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are set to find just their fourth head coach since 1969, which means there will be some turnover on that roster. Multiple players under contract with Pittsburgh can help the Kansas City Chiefs, with two of them being in the tight end room.
Mike Tomlin Leaving Steelers Could Open Door for Chiefs TE Trade
The Chiefs have no idea what the future holds for Travis Kelce, as there's a real possibility that he walks away. That would create a void at tight end, where both Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith could be fantastic additions.
Freiermuth was a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft and has developed into a quality starter for the Steelers. Over five seasons, Freiermuth has logged 261 catches (356 targets) for 2,676 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. In 2024, Freiermuth inked a four-year, $48 million extension. He's on the books for at least $10 million plus until 2028.
As for Smith, he's more of an athletic pass-catching option that can do damage after the catch. Smith didn't have the best year in 2025 (224 receiving yards), but he's just one season removed from a Pro Bowl campaign where he had a career-high 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns with the Miami Dolphins.
Over nine seasons in the NFL, Smith recorded 345 catches for 3,529 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns. He's signed through the 2026 season, set to make $10.9 million. With Smith being older and just one year left on his deal, he may be an easier option to acquire.
The Chiefs should be proactive in their pursuit of another tight end, and these players are two solid options. The Steelers are going to make some sweeping changes, and their next head coach could look to move on from some vets to clear cap space while also bringing in some of his own players.
Kansas City would be able to acquire either Smith or Freiermuth for a Day 3 pick (5th or 6th round), and it should be something they consider. Adding a veteran option in that room would give them insurance if Kelce does walk away or provide them with a nice TE2 choice if he does return.
Nonetheless, tight end is an area the Chiefs need to improve upon in 2026, and Tomlin's exit has opened up the door to some potential choices.