For over a decade, Travis Kelce has been a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, known for his elite playmaking ability and undeniable chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. But as the 2025 NFL season approaches, it appears that the Chiefs’ tight end position could be undergoing a major shift.
While Kelce remains a franchise legend, a growing challenger has emerged: Noah Gray.
Kelce, at 35 years old, is no longer the dynamic force he once was. Though his 2024 stats-97 receptions, 823 yards, and three touchdowns-remain solid for most tight ends, they were some of the worst of his 12-year career.
His performance, which showed a dip in yards per reception and overall explosive plays, raised questions about his long-term future with the team. Given his age, it’s understandable that Father Time is starting to make its presence felt. However, what may be even more concerning for Kelce is the rapid development of his backup, Noah Gray.
Noah Gray: The rising star
Noah Gray, drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has steadily evolved into a more integral part of the Chiefs’ offense. Over the past two seasons, Gray has worked hard to improve, and his 2024 numbers reflect that growth. The 26-year-old tight end set career highs in receptions (40), yards (437), and touchdowns (5).
While he may not yet be in Kelce’s class, Gray’s consistent improvement has turned heads within the Chiefs organization.
But what makes Gray’s future in Kansas City even more interesting is his contract situation. In early 2025, Gray signed a three-year, $18 million extension, which included performance-based incentives. Gray could earn up to $500,000 based on snap counts and receptions-bonuses that could give him extra motivation to secure a bigger role in the offense.
The financial stakes are high, and this could push Gray to earn more reps during training camp, potentially even eating into Kelce’s playing time.
Training Camp: A crucial moment
Training camp is set to be a defining period for both Kelce and Gray. The Chiefs will closely evaluate Kelce’s conditioning and readiness for the upcoming season. As Kelce enters his 13th year in the NFL, questions surrounding his durability and role could come to the forefront.
Meanwhile, Gray will be looking to prove that he deserves a larger share of the workload in 2025.
Given his contract incentives and the development he’s shown, Gray is in an excellent position to challenge Kelce for more snaps. Although Kelce’s place in Chiefs history is secure, Gray’s continued rise could signal a changing of the guard. Kelce has previously hinted at the possibility of retirement, and with Gray showing steady improvement, the Chiefs may already be preparing for life after their long-time star.
As Kansas City moves forward into the 2025 season, the tight end position is no longer a lock for Kelce. The emergence of Noah Gray could be the beginning of a new era in the Chiefs’ offense.
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