The Kansas City Chiefs were relieved to hear that Travis Kelce will return for the 2025 season, but there were real concerns that the star tight end might retire.
If that had happened, the Chiefs would have faced a serious void at the tight end position, leaving Noah Gray as the next best option.
Although Gray has had a solid season with 437 yards and five touchdowns, questions remain about whether he’s a long-term solution for the Chiefs.
This has led many to believe that the team should start thinking about drafting Kelce’s successor, and the upcoming NFL Draft presents a perfect opportunity.
USA Today has suggested that the Chiefs should target Colston Loveland, a standout tight end from the Michigan Wolverines, as Kelce’s future replacement.
Loveland is widely regarded as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2025 class, with exceptional athleticism, route-running ability, and speed, which would make him a valuable addition to the Chiefs’ offense.
He has the skills to become Kansas City’s go-to target in the future, with a playing style similar to Kelce’s, including the ability to excel in zone coverage and make himself a reliable target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Loveland is currently ranked as a top-15 prospect, but due to the demand for offensive and defensive linemen in the draft, there’s a chance he could slide down the board.
Given the Chiefs’ need to build their roster in other areas, they may have to trade up to secure Loveland.
Bringing him into the fold and allowing him to learn from Kelce for a year would be a smart move, as it would prepare him to step into a starting role in 2026.
While this is a tempting idea, it’s uncertain whether the Chiefs will prioritize drafting a tight end, given their other pressing needs,
but it’s definitely worth considering as part of their long-term strategy.
For now, the Chiefs can rely on Kelce for one more year, but planning for the future by bringing in Loveland could help ease the transition when the future Hall of Famer eventually steps down.