Chiefs linked to blockbuster trade for Pro Bowl Travis Kelce replacement

The Kansas City Chiefs know they will have star tight end Travis Kelce for at least one more season, but what his future holds beyond 2026 is still anyone’s guess. Kelce has maintained he believes he can still play at a high level, but at 36, there’s no denying he’s not the weapon he used to be. If Kelce does retire after next season, the Chiefs have a huge hole on their offense that will need to be filled, which is why John Breech of CBS Sports believes they should get ahead of Kelce’s impending retirement and find his heir apparent now. Breech recently proposed a trade where the Chiefs would trade the 29th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the Atlanta Falcons for All-Pro Kyle Pitts. “It certainly seems possible that the Falcons could end up dealing him this week,” Breech wrote. For one, new Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham openly admitted that the team will be listening to any offers for Pitts (or any other player). “… The Falcons would likely be open to this deal for two reasons: For one, they don't have a first-round pick this year, so this would get them the chance to get back into the opening round. Also, Pitts is set to play under the franchise tag, which will pay him $15 million in 2026. If the Falcons trade him away, that will immediately free up $15 million in cap space. “… On the Chiefs' end, if they were to acquire Pitts, he would serve as the heir apparent to Travis Kelce. The Chiefs' star tight end recently signed on for his 14th season in Kansas City, but at 36, it's hard to see him playing past the 2026 season. If the Chiefs add Pitts, that would give Patrick Mahomes an almost unfair advantage in the passing game.” Pitts, who was a Pro Bowler as a rookie in 2021 and made his first All-Pro team last season, aught 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns last season with a shaky QB situation in Atlanta. Many believe if Pitts were to be dropped into the Chiefs offense and catching passes from Patrick Mahomes that he could put up Kelce-like numbers. If Kansas City isn’t convinced that anyone at pick No. 29 can make the kind of impact Pitts, who’s only 25, can, then dealing the selection to add a young Pro Bowl weapon for Mahomes may not be the worst idea.