Jared Wiley is emerging as the Chiefs' surprise offensive weapon at training camp

For way too long, the Kansas City Chiefs counted on Travis Kelce to lead the charge at tight end. Why wouldn't they? He was a tackle-breaking machine, a master in the fine art of going off-script in broken plays, and a perennial mismatch in the open field.

Unfortunately, Father Time is undefeated. Kelce is a legend and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, but he's also likely playing his final season, and it's about time the Chiefs address that position for the future.

Notably, a reinforcement might come from within. According to FOX4's Harold R. Kuntz, Jared Wiley has looked great in training camp, and that's pretty much what everybody said of him during spring workouts as well.

The pieces are falling into place for a breakout year from Jared Wiley and the Chiefs could really use it

Wiley showed flashes of impressive receiving ability in college. His big frame also makes him an efficient blocker, and standing at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, he's a big presence to line up in the slot or outside.

So far, the Jared Wiley experience has been underwhelming. He entered the league as a fourth-round pick in 2024, and he has yet to make an impact, hauling in just two receptions for 11 yards. He also suffered an ACL injury in November of 2024.

Still, some people need more time to figure things out than others. Noah Gray should be second in the pecking order right now, but it's not like he's done much to be the clear-cut, undisputed leading candidate to be Kelce's backup.

Wiley played all over the field at TCU, including some halfback. He wasn't much of a factor in-line, but his ability to pile up yards after the catch made him an intriguing pickup for a Chiefs team that knew how to scheme for the position.

He's got reliable hands and excellent field vision to find gaps in the second level once he sees some space ahead of him. The Chiefs could use some playmakers, and if he's fully healthy and moving as well as reports suggest, they should at least consider giving him an expanded role this season.

Wiley has all the physical tools to be a dominant presence in the running game as well, but he has to be more consistent as a blocker. If he shows a willingness to take and give hits in-line, it'll be very tough for Andy Reid not to bump him over the underwhelming Gray in the pecking order.

The Chiefs didn't do much to give Mahomes more weapons in the passing game, perhaps because they think they already have enough. Whether that's the case is a debate for another day, but Wiley can certainly make life easier for the aging Kelce if he keeps this up.

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