One of the more interesting battles starting in the Kansas City Chiefs' OTA's and minicamp and carrying into training camp and the preseason will be who takes over as the third option at tight end. For the Chiefs, this is far more noteworthy than for other teams based on how Patrick Mahomes likes to utilize the position and the need to protect Travis Kelce as the star continues to age. Second option, Noah Gray is coming off an incredibly unreliable 2025 season, making the third spot on the depth chart all the more important.
With this in mind, it is fair to point to the early performance of Jared Wiley, which was highlighted by the Kansas City Star's Pete Sweeney in a recent interview. It seems that Wiley is taking the inside track to winning the third tight end role and could become a surprise contributor early in the 2026 season for the Chiefs.
" Wiley to me looked as comfortable as he has since the injury. You've got to see how he looks when the pads come on, but I just felt like he was moving a lot better than he did all of last year."Pete Sweeney KC Star
Wiley was a fourth-round selection back in 2024 and is yet to really make a consistent impact with two career receptions and 11 receiving yards. Still, it is noteworthy that someone who has spent time around the pass-catcher is noting this is the best he has looked. It can easily be taken as Wiley grabbing a lead for a competition that will have a lot of attention over the summer.
Chiefs appear to hand inside track to third tight end position to Jared Wiley
While the lack of production is a bit of a concern, Wiley does benefit from spending two years in the system and around Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. Year three, setting Wiley up to take a leap and be a viable depth piece is completely on the table. For the Chiefs, it would be ideal and a clear endorsement of their ability to develop lesser prospects.
For Wiley, it is a chance to contribute to a dynasty that he's only watched from afar and taken part in as a reserve. Having a chance to help take pressure off Kelce and offset any struggles from Gray cannot be underrated.
With that said, we are a long way from meaningful reps with just under a month until training camp begins. Wiley still has an uphill battle to prove he is capable of earning Kansas City's trust and able to lock down a role that is going to have an unusual amount of fan attention heading closer to the regular season.
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