It remains uncertain whether Travis Kelce will return to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026, but regardless of the legendary tight end’s decision, the franchise must begin preparing for life after one of the greatest players in team history.

Kelce has been the heartbeat of Kansas City’s offense for years, redefining the tight end position and becoming one of Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted weapons, but even the most dominant careers eventually reach a point where succession planning becomes unavoidable.

As the Chiefs evaluate their long-term roster needs, they may find the perfect successor in free agency this offseason, potentially stealing a rising young tight end from another AFC powerhouse with a reputation for developing elite players at the position.

Among the names generating buzz, one stands out more than the rest, not only because of his talent but because of the clear signals he has sent about wanting a larger role—a desire that Baltimore simply cannot fulfill at this stage of his career.

That player is Isaiah Likely of the Baltimore Ravens, a young, athletic, highly skilled tight end who increasingly appears ready to leave his current team in search of an opportunity to become a true TE1 rather than a rotational weapon behind an established star.

Likely has spent the early years of his career learning behind one of the NFL’s best, and while that experience has shaped him into a more complete player, it has also made him realize that his long-term growth requires a different platform.

During a recent interview with Jon Gruden, Likely was asked what message he delivered to his agent ahead of free agency, and his response was simple yet powerful: he wants to blossom, and he wants a chance to display everything he has learned.

The tight end emphasized that veteran star Mark Andrews taught him how to be a true professional and how to perform at an elite level, but he made it clear that he is now seeking a team where he can showcase his development as a primary playmaker.

This was Likely’s subtle but unmistakable way of announcing that he is ready to be a team’s unquestioned tight end number one, a role he cannot achieve as long as Andrews remains secured as Baltimore’s long-term starter.

Andrews recently signed a three-year extension, solidifying his position as the centerpiece of the Ravens’ passing attack, effectively closing the door on any path for Likely to ascend into a full-time starting role within the organization.

Because of this contract development and the natural evolution of Likely’s career, his departure from Baltimore feels not only possible but increasingly inevitable, aligning with his desire to find a franchise where his upward trajectory can continue.

Players at his age and talent level rarely settle for backup roles when their potential suggests they can be major contributors on a team willing to build around their strengths and give them meaningful volume.

The Kansas City Chiefs should be fully prepared to give Likely exactly what he is seeking, because while a Kelce return in 2026 is still possible, the future Hall of Famer is undeniably nearing the final stages of his remarkable career.

Even if Kelce plays another season or two, the Chiefs must prepare for the inevitable transition at one of the most important positions in their offensive structure, especially considering how heavily Mahomes relies on tight end production.

Likely would enter a situation where he can learn from Kelce, benefit from the Chiefs’ coaching staff, and ultimately grow into the TE1 role at a natural pace instead of being thrown immediately into a pressure-filled environment without support.

This type of mentorship could be invaluable, given Kansas City’s deep understanding of what it takes to turn a talented tight end into a consistent, high-level performer capable of carrying a large share of the offensive workload.

Additionally, Likely would be catching passes from Patrick Mahomes, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in NFL history, whose ability to elevate his receivers has proven to be a major factor in the development of players throughout Kansas City’s offense.

Playing with an elite quarterback, in an elite system, under elite coaching, is the exact formula a young tight end needs to ascend into stardom, and Likely would be stepping into one of the league’s most favorable developmental ecosystems.

Signing Isaiah Likely in free agency would make a tremendous amount of sense for both parties, offering the Chiefs long-term security at a vital position while giving the young tight end the opportunity he has been unable to secure in Baltimore.

Likely’s production through 63 regular-season games includes 135 receptions for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns—solid numbers for a player who has operated almost exclusively as a secondary option behind one of the league’s premier tight ends.

His playoff contributions also highlight his reliability in big moments, with 11 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns across five postseason appearances, proving that he can perform under high-pressure conditions against elite defenses.

What makes him even more intriguing for Kansas City, however, is the personal experience they already have defending him during live competition, which provides valuable insight into how well he fits their offensive philosophy.

In a 2024 matchup against the Chiefs, Likely delivered one of the most impressive performances of his young career, recording nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown, while coming within centimeters of scoring a second game-changing touchdown.

That near-score would have given the Ravens a chance to either win the game outright or push it into overtime, and coaches in Kansas City have not forgotten how dangerous Likely looked every time he touched the football that day.

The Chiefs are extremely familiar with his game, his route-running, his physicality after the catch, and his ability to win in critical moments, all of which make him an ideal candidate to pursue aggressively in free agency.

When a team sees firsthand how difficult a player is to defend, it often increases their interest, especially when that player is young, affordable, and entering the prime developmental years of his professional career.

Isaiah Likely may not yet have TE1 statistical production, but the underlying talent, athletic profile, and flashes of elite playmaking ability all suggest he is on the cusp of a breakout—he simply needs the right opportunity and the right system.

Kansas City can offer both, along with the benefit of organizational stability, championship culture, and a proven track record of maximizing tight end potential more effectively than perhaps any franchise in the modern NFL.

For these reasons, the Chiefs should strongly consider making Likely one of their top free-agency priorities, giving them a long-term plan at the position and ensuring a smooth transition once Travis Kelce eventually steps away from the game.

This move would not only strengthen Kansas City’s future but could also produce one of the league’s next great tight ends, making Likely’s potential signing one of the most compelling storylines of the upcoming offseason.