Even if the Kansas City Chiefs make the playoffs, this team has a long list of offseason needs to address. Unfortunately, that list might also include finding a new tight end for the future, as Travis Kelce is still mulling retirement.
The future Hall of Famer claimed that he would give the Chiefs enough time to make up for his loss and build the roster if he decides to retire. And, judging by how frustrated he's been with his play and the team's results this season, it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see him walk away. If that's the case, the Chiefs should be all over Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts in free agency.
Kyle Pitts' Week 15 Breakout Was Perfect Chiefs Audition
Pitts will become a free agent at the end of the season. He has been one of the most disappointing players in the league since the Atlanta Falcons made him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history back in 2021. Even so, the former No. 4 selection just reminded everybody of what he can do when he's involved in the passing game.
Pitts torched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in primetime television. He hauled in 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-28 comeback win, becoming the first tight end with at least 150 receiving yards and three scores since the legendary Shannon Sharpe did it in 1996.
Of course, this might be an outlier, but the potential has always been there. Arthur Smith used him mostly as a blocker and a prime decoy, yet he's shown some glimpses of strong play when Kirk Cousins has been under center in the Raheem Morris era.
QB Patrick Mahomes has already shown what he can do with a prime pass-catching tight end by his side. And even though Pitts has also struggled with drops in his career, he's just 25 years old, so he hasn't even reached his prime yet.
The Florida product has hauled in 73 receptions on 97 targets for 797 receiving yards and a career-high-tying four receiving touchdowns. That's without mentioning how his 5.2 receptions per game and 75.3% catch rate are both personal bests, while his 56.9 yards per game is the second-best pace of his five-year career.
Pitts is on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career, and while the lack of consistency and his failure to meet the sky-high expectations might scare some teams away, the Chiefs definitely have to roll the dice on him. He's used to a similar workload as Kelce, too, as Pitts sees 6.9 targets per game compared to the Kansas City fan favorite's 6.4, painting him as someone who can handle being one of Mahomes' go-to options.
Kelce is one of the greatest — if not the greatest — tight end to ever lace them up, and there's no such thing as perfectly replacing a player of his caliber. That doesn't mean the Chiefs can't try, and Pitts' breakout game was the perfect audition to convince general manager Brett Veach that the Falcons TE should be on his radar come March.