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Chiefs Predicted to Add a 1,700-Yard Safety Net Behind Travis Kelce

The Kansas City Chiefs may still be hoping to convince Travis Kelce to return for one more season, but the organization is clearly thinking beyond the immediate future at tight end.

Even if Kelce ultimately decides to play again, Kansas City will need a long-term plan at one of the most important positions in its offense. One potential solution could come in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In a mock draft published January 24, analyst T.J. Randall projected the Chiefs to select Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in the third round. The projection frames Stowers as a developmental receiving threat who could slide in the draft due to his limitations as a blocker, despite strong production as a pass catcher.
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“At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Eli Stowers is an exercise in receiver versus tight end classification, considering the chasm between his contributions in the passing game and running game,” Randall wrote. “The 2025 Mackey Award winner will bring his 1,700 career receiving yards to KC for an exciting Travis Kelce replacement when the time comes.”

Stowers’ résumé supports the intrigue. He is coming off a standout collegiate career capped by winning the 2025 John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding tight end. During the award announcement, Stowers was credited with 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns in his final season, earning praise for his athleticism, leadership, and impact in the passing game.

Recent winners of the Mackey Award include Tyler Warren, Brock Bowers, and Trey McBride — a list that underscores the caliber of tight end typically associated with the honor. Notably, despite his Hall of Fame-level career, Kelce himself never won the award.

From Kansas City’s perspective, Stowers would not need to be an immediate replacement. Even if Kelce returns, the rookie could develop behind one of the greatest tight ends of his era, learning the nuances of route running, coverage recognition, and preparation at the NFL level. That type of apprenticeship would align with the Chiefs’ long-term roster planning.

Kelce, meanwhile, has not publicly committed to playing in the 2026 season. However, his recent reaction to the team re-hiring Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator sparked optimism among fans. Speaking on the New Heights podcast, Kelce expressed excitement about Bieniemy’s return and the energy he brings to the building, though he stopped short of tying that enthusiasm directly to his own future.

Ultimately, the decision will come down to whether Kelce still feels the pull to compete at the highest level. If that fire remains, a return is possible. At the same time, Kansas City appears intent on ensuring that when the transition eventually arrives, it does not come without a plan already in place.

 
 

🔥 FROM DETROIT ICON TO IMMORTAL: Herman Moore Enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cementing a Legacy That Defined a Franchise Era
Detroit, Michigan – January 27, 2026  Herman Moore’s name is now forever etched among football’s immortals. The legendary Detroit Lions wide receiver has officially been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — a moment that Lions fans have long awaited. For a franchise built on resilience and hard-nosed football, Moore’s induction is more than just a personal achievement. It is the recognition of a player who redefined the receiving position for Detroit and helped shape the team’s offensive identity in the 1990s. Moore’s career was never about flashy headlines — it was about impact. Drafted in the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft, Moore entered a Lions organization that was built around the legendary Barry Sanders. What followed was one of the most prolific and consistent careers in franchise history. Over a decade in Detroit, Moore became the team’s all-time leader in receiving yards (9,174) and touchdowns (62), while establishing himself as one of the premier wide receivers of his era. But the numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Moore embodied the essence of the Lions’ offense in the 1990s. In an era where the passing game wasn’t as dominant, Moore was a constant threat on the field, working in perfect harmony with fellow offensive stars like Barry Sanders and quarterback Scott Mitchell. Whether it was a jump-ball touchdown in the end zone or a precise route down the sideline, Moore's reliability and ability to make spectacular catches made him the backbone of Detroit’s passing game. “He was the guy who made everything click,” a former teammate once said. “When you needed a big play, Herman was always there.” Moore’s career was also marked by perseverance. Despite playing in an era with a less pass-heavy offense, Moore’s production consistently shined. His accolades — 4 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections — speak volumes about his skill and consistency, even though the national spotlight on him wasn’t as bright as it could have been. As one of the most significant figures in Lions history, Moore was often considered a Hall of Fame snub for years. His contributions to Detroit’s offense during his prime were integral to shaping the team’s passing game long before Calvin “Megatron” Johnson emerged as the team’s next great receiving star. For the Lions, Moore’s induction carries profound emotional significance. Before the dominance of Johnson and the Super Bowl aspirations of the new era, Herman Moore was the face of the Lions' receiving corps. He represented everything Detroit fans wanted in a player: talent, reliability, and a commitment to the team and city. As Herman Moore takes his rightful place in Canton, his legacy is undeniable. He wasn’t part of a dynasty or surrounded by a high-flying offense, but he was one of the most efficient, dynamic, and respected wide receivers the game has ever seen. Herman Moore didn’t just play football.He elevated it. And now, his name lives forever — exactly where it belongs.