Looking at the Kansas City Chiefs roster and considering positions under pressure or areas of needed improvement, tight end stands out. While Travis Kelce continues to debate his future, the Chiefs are left with one rostered name of note in Noah Gray. A piece that seems increasingly likely that the franchise will move on from as they retool and look to improve the position. Whether or not Kelce opts to return, it seems there will be additions of note made regardless of Kelce's decision to prepare for the future.
For the Chiefs, it simply doesn't make sense to retain Gray based on the superior options in free agency and this year's draft class. The pass catcher is coming off an underwhelming season, offering only 178 receiving yards with the lowest catch percentage of his career. Both of these factors point to what appears to be a pretty obvious decision: cut Gray and move in a new and far more exciting direction.
According to Spotrac, releasing Gray after June 1 saves the franchise $5.5 million in cap space compared to a $1.5 million dead cap hit. This helps explain why a release is so likely at a position that, to put it simply, KC has far more exciting options to target. Gray's down year was all that was needed to point to the fact that it is time for a change and for Gray to find a new landing spot for the 2026 season.
Chiefs Have No Choice but to Move on from Noah Gray Amid Pivotal 2026 Offseason
Factored into this as well is the need for additional cap space, with Over The Cap projecting the Chiefs as the worst situation in the league at minus-$54.9 million. Parting ways with Gray is about both the ability to upgrade and the financial pressure the Chiefs are under throughout this offseason. Freeing up Gray's salary will allow the Chiefs to upgrade the position or to help pay for Kelce's return.
The veteran tight end seems increasingly likely to return, but isn't under contract for the 2026 season. This demands the Chiefs open up the necessary space and do whatever it takes to be ready for the legend's return.
Even if Kelce were to walk away, the flip side is that it would signal a need for the Chiefs to start fresh at the position and bring in new building blocks. Any roster-building strategy you consider ends with Gray being cut and Kansas City seeking out upgrades at the position.
For Gray, there have been great moments in the pass catcher's KC career, including helping win two Super Bowls. However, the veteran's time with the franchise is coming to an end, with enticing upgrades on the market and the need for opening up cap space simply outweighing any potential value Gray might bring in the 2026 season.