Let's be real for a second. When you think about the Kansas City Chiefs tight end situation, your brain goes straight to number 87. It’s unavoidable. Travis Kelce is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a pop-culture icon, and basically the heartbeat of the Kansas City offense. But if you’re looking at the Chiefs TE depth chart heading into 2026, things look a lot different than they did during the early Super Bowl runs.
The cliff is coming. Or maybe it isn't?
Andy Reid is a mad scientist. He’s obsessed with 12 and 13 personnel—that’s football speak for having two or three tight ends on the field at the same time. While the rest of the league is trying to find "the next Kelce," the Chiefs have quietly spent the last few seasons building a room that doesn't just rely on one guy. They’ve recruited blockers who can catch and receivers who can actually hold a block against a 270-pound defensive end.
The King Still Sits on the Throne
Travis Kelce is the undisputed TE1. Even as he gets older, his "old man game" is aging like a fine wine. He isn't outrunning corners anymore. He doesn't have to. Kelce has this weird, telepathic connection with Patrick Mahomes where he just finds the soft spot in a zone, sits down, and waits for the ball. It's annoying for defensive coordinators and beautiful for Chiefs fans.
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However, his snap count is being managed more than ever. You’ll see him on the sidelines during those grueling 12-play drives in the second quarter. Why? Because the Chiefs need him fresh for the fourth quarter in January. This strategic resting is exactly why the rest of the Chiefs TE depth chart matters so much. If the guys behind him can’t move the chains, the whole system collapses.
Noah Gray: The Reliable Workhorse
If Kelce is the flashy Ferrari, Noah Gray is the dependable Ford F-150. He’s the TE2, but he plays a massive amount of snaps. Gray was drafted back in 2021 out of Duke, and since then, he’s basically become a Swiss Army knife. He lines up as a fullback, he goes in motion to identify coverages, and he’s turned into a legitimate threat in the red zone.
Most people don’t realize how much the Chiefs rely on Gray to do the dirty work. He’s often the one executing the "sift" block that opens up a lane for Isiah Pacheco. When Kelce is drawing a double-team—which is basically every play—Gray is the one finding space in the flat. He isn't going to give you 100 yards a game, but he’s going to catch all four targets thrown his way for 38 crucial yards.
The High-Upside Projects
Then we get to the interesting part of the roster. Jared Wiley is a name you need to know. Standing at 6'6", he was brought in specifically because he has a similar frame to Kelce. He’s a former quarterback, which gives him that high football IQ Andy Reid craves. Seeing him and Kelce on the field together is a nightmare for small safeties.
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Behind Wiley, the team usually keeps a developmental piece or a specialist blocker. Think of guys like Peyton Hendershot or various practice squad elevations. These players are often the "forgotten men" until a goal-line situation arises and suddenly a third-string tight end is catching a touchdown on a tackle-eligible play.
Breaking Down the Roles
The hierarchy is pretty set, but the usage is fluid.
- TE1: Travis Kelce. The "Move" tight end. He’s the primary target and the guy who forces the defense to adjust their entire game plan.
- TE2: Noah Gray. The "Y" tight end. He handles more traditional blocking duties but remains a high-floor pass catcher.
- TE3: Jared Wiley. The "Big Slot" or developmental threat. He’s the insurance policy and the future.
- TE4/Practice Squad. Usually a special teams ace. If they’re on the field, it’s usually to blow someone up in the run game.
Why 13 Personnel is the Chiefs' Secret Weapon
You’ve probably seen it. The Chiefs come out with three tight ends, the defense puts their heavy "base" personnel on the field to stop the run, and then Mahomes suddenly goes no-huddle and spreads everyone out. Now you have a linebacker trying to cover Noah Gray or Jared Wiley in space. It’s a mismatch every single time.
Matt Nagy and Andy Reid use the Chiefs TE depth chart as a chess set. By having multiple tight ends who are versatile, they prevent the defense from being able to predict whether it’s a run or a pass based on who is on the field. If you put in three wide receivers, the defense knows you're likely passing. If you put in three tight ends, they have to respect the power run, but they get burned by the seam route.
The Salary Cap Reality
Everything in the NFL comes down to money. Kelce’s contract is a bargain considering his production, but the Chiefs are always looking three years ahead. They can’t afford to pay two elite tight ends. This is why drafting and developing guys like Wiley is so vital. They need "cheap labor" to fill those TE3 and TE4 spots so they can afford to pay Mahomes and the star defenders.
It's also about insurance. We saw what happened when Kelce missed the season opener against Detroit a couple of years back. The offense looked out of sync. Since then, the front office has doubled down on ensuring that the depth chart isn't just "Kelce and some guys." They want a cohesive unit that can function even if the superstar is taking a breather.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Team or Sunday Bets
If you're looking for fantasy production, it's still the Kelce show. Don't overthink it. However, in deep leagues or DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) tournaments, Noah Gray is a sneaky play whenever the Chiefs face a team with poor linebacker coverage.
For the casual fan, just watch the "heavy" packages. When you see three tight ends on the field, don't assume a run up the middle. Watch for the play-action. Watch for the tight end screen. This team thrives on using their depth to create confusion.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
To truly understand how this unit impacts the game, pay attention to these three specific things during the next Chiefs broadcast:
- Snap Counts: Watch how often Noah Gray is on the field without Kelce. If that number is increasing, it means Reid is confident in the offense's ability to move the ball without their primary star, which bodes well for Kelce's longevity into the playoffs.
- The "Wiley Watch": Look at where Jared Wiley lines up. If he’s consistently in the slot, he’s being groomed to take over the specific "receiving" role that Kelce has mastered.
- Pre-Snap Motion: The tight ends are the keys to the kingdom. Watch who moves across the formation. Usually, the tight end's movement tells Mahomes exactly what the coverage is (Man vs. Zone). If the defender follows the TE, it's man. If they stay put, it's zone.
The Chiefs TE depth chart is more than just a list of names on a website. It is the engine that allows Patrick Mahomes to be the best version of himself. While Kelce provides the highlights, the depth provides the stability that wins championships. Keep an eye on the young guys; the transition is happening right before our eyes, one snap at a time.