"Patrick Mahomes is going to turn him into Tony Gonzalez": Insider floats Kyle Pitts to Chiefs amid Travis Kelce's retirement rumors

The Kansas City Chiefs face the saddening prospect of losing Travis Kelce to retirement after a very trying 2025 season. However, a potential free-agency solution may have emerged for them after Thursday.

In the Atlanta Falcons' 29-28 upset win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kyle Pitts had a monstrous performance, catching 11 passes for 166 yards and all Kirk Cousins' three passing touchdowns. He was the first tight end since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996 to have at least 150 yards and three touchdowns in a game.

After the game, head coach Raheem Morris claimed that such dominance had been the plan. And USA Today's Art Stapleton was encouraged by it, posting this bold comparison on social media:

"Chiefs are going to sign Kyle Pitts to replace Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes is going to turn him into Tony Gonzalez."

Art Stapleton

@art_stapleton

Chiefs are going to sign Kyle Pitts to replace Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes is going to turn him into Tony Gonzalez.

Currently on the final year of his contract, Pitts has largely failed to replicate the thousand-yard form that made him a Pro Bowler in 2021 as a rookie. However, his showing on Thursday put him above 700 for the first time since that season. He has also tied his career-high in receiving touchdowns, at four.

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Chiefs linked to two tight end prospects in 2026 draft as question of Travis Kelce's retirement looms

Of course, another way for the Chiefs to replenish their tight end room, with or without Travis Kelce, would be via the draft.

Last week, Sports Illustrated's Jared Feinberg proposed Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers as a third-round pick. The recent Campbell Trophy winner was the Commodores' leader in receptions (62) and receiving yards (769), and he scored four touchdowns:

"Noah Gray has flashed in recent years and could be prepared for a bigger role, but another playmaker like Stowers would help the Chiefs play more 12 and 13 personnel. The Vanderbilt pass-catcher brings run-after-catch ability, quality ball skills, and athleticism to the position."

And in his latest first-round mock draft on Monday, Saturday Blitz's Nicholas Rome predicted the franchise using the 14th overall pick on Kenyon Sadiq. The Oregon Duck has seen massive increases in his production since committing in 2023 and led the team in receptions (40) and receiving touchdowns (8) this season.

The 2026 NFL draft will be held from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most of the media coverage will occur on ESPN's family of channels.