While Travis Kelce is returning for 2026, no one knows whether he will be up for it again next season. Given such uncertainty, the Kansas City Chiefs will likely pick a young prospect to replace him.

NFL insider Arye Pulli made a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, claiming that Georgia tight end Oscar Delp will be visiting the Chiefs soon.

Every year, NFL teams host the top 30 draft-eligible players not only to evaluate them but also to showcase their facilities. Pulli believes the Chiefs' management has officially scheduled a pre-draft visit with Delp in the coming days.

The interest is genuine, as Delp brings an overall productive performance, with 74 receptions for 854 yards and an average of 12.2. His speed, as demonstrated by a 40-yard dash time of 4.44–4.49 seconds, makes it hard for linebackers to keep up in man coverage.

Delp improved while playing alongside current NFL standout Brock Bowers. Under Kelce's guidance, he can learn a lot from him, turning his raw skill into a professional ability. At 6-foot-5, the explosive athlete already breaks defensive coverages effortlessly.

His low drop rate and relentless blocking effort make him a reliable target who instantly relieves pressure on the quarterback.

Meanwhile, Kelce has signed a 1-year, $12 million contract with the Chiefs to return for the 14th NFL season, but the front office is preparing for life after the Kansas City Chiefs' tight end and looking for other players alongside Delp.

Who Else Can Be Good Enough to Replace Travis Kelce?

Even in a disappointing 2025 season, when the Chiefs ended with 6-11, Travis Kelce recorded over 70 receptions, five touchdowns, and 851 yards.

He has been known as one of the best tight ends in NFL history, so it becomes a concern for the team to have someone who can take up his role in the future.

According to senior writer Mario Puig of Rotowire, “The Chiefs would be a bad landing spot for Sadiq’s 2026 fantasy prospects—Travis Kelce will remain heavily involved, and Noah Gray is unlikely to be benched—but if Kelce retires after 2026, it’s easy to see Sadiq stepping into a high-upside role.”

Kenyon Sadiq is 6 feet 3 and weighs 245 lbs, and has received 892 yards and 11 touchdowns over three seasons with the Oregon Ducks. After his combine result, where he covered 40 yards in 4.39 seconds, the Chiefs are finding him to be a good fit for tight end.

Who do you think can take up the responsibility like the Chiefs' star? Let us know in the Comments!

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Written by

Shreya Mishra

Edited by

Sayantan Gayen