Although the curtain has yet to be raised on the 2024 NFL season, the league’s elite franchises understand that it is never too early to start planning for the future.
Otherwise, a team like the Kansas City Chiefs has no shot at staying ahead of the curve and maintaining a sustainable, championship-caliber program.
Sooner rather than later, the Chiefs are going to have to reckon with the departure of franchise legend Travis Kelce.
Kansas City’s star tight end signed a contract extension to 2026 earlier this year, but the 34-year-old himself is preparing for his post-NFL life.
The three-time Super Bowl champion recently inked a $100 million podcast deal with Amazon and has even branched into acting — while the Chiefs could be plotting the best way to replace his immense contributions when the time comes.
Chiefs to pivot to a top college prospect?
In a mock 2025 draft published by The 33rd Team, the Chiefs have been linked with Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
The mock has Kansas City selecting Loveland with the 32nd pick in next season’s draft — which would assume that the Chiefs have won a third consecutive Super Bowl, a first in NFL history.
“Do the Chiefs trust Noah Gray and rookie Jared Wiley to take that mantle long-term as Kelce reaches the final chapters of his career?” analyst Kyle Crabbs asked. “If the answer is no, Kansas City can add a dual-threat player in Loveland.”
Loveland enjoyed a breakthrough season in the NCAA last year, receiving All-Big Ten honors and helping Michigan to a national championship. The versatile pass-catching tight end caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns, combining his 6’5” height with soft hands to present matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
Loveland’s build mirrors the 6’5”, 250-pound Kelce, who is entering the 12th season of his decorated NFL career. But while Kelce has insisted he has no immediate plans to retire, his off-field interests combined with his age will require Kansas City to pull off the improbable: replace Kelce’s significant role in the Chiefs’ dynasty.
