THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS have been tipped for a move to pick up a star tight end prospect amid speculation about Travis Kelce’s retirement.

 

 

 

Kelce, 36, has refused to definitively confirm whether he will continue starring for the Chiefs next season as he weighs up retirement.
Kansas City Chiefs v Las Vegas Raiders - NFL 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs have been tipped for a move to replace Travis Kelce at the NFL Draft

 
Vanderbilt v Tennessee
Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers could prove a worthy long-term replacement

 

 

 

 

But NFL Analyst T.J. Randall has suggested the organisation should move for his replacement anyway in the form of a rising star in his position.

He tipped them for a move for award-winning 22-year-old Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in his mock draft.

The prospect turned heads this season during the school’s 10-3 campaign, and even netted himself the Mackey Award, given out annually to the most outstanding tight end in college football.

 

 

 

Randall wrote: “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.

“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.”

While questions remain over his blocking ability, his offensive threat is clear, and who better to round out his game under than Kelce?

Stowers started his college career as a standout quarterback prospect with Texas A&M.

 

 

 

 

After struggling for reps in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he made the switch to New Mexico State where he began playing primarily at tight end.

These performances saw him snapped up by Vanderbilt for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, where he flourished as an offensive threat.

He has the pedigree to go on to great things, with the last three Mackey Award winners (Tyler Warren, Brock Bowers, and Trey McBride) all being named to this year’s Pro Bowl.

 

 

 

Kelce has been coy about his retirement decision, dropping hints but being yet to officially confirm whether he will go again for one more season.

He seems to be biding his time and feeling out whether his body can handle the stresses of another season.

When discussing his retirement speculation earlier this month on the New Heights podcast, he said: “I don’t know, it’s a tough thing to navigate.

 

 

 

“But at the same time, if my body can heal up, rest up and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18-, 20-21 week run.

“I think I would do it in a heartbeat. Right now is just finding that answer. And seeing how the body feels after this game and when it all settles down.”

But Kelce withdrew from the upcoming Pro Bowl citing a mystery injury, which could be a bad omen for either his physical status or his appetite for the game.

 

 

 

 

However, the Chiefs re-signing offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy could be a difference maker, with the Mail reporting that the appointment has spurred him on for one more season.

A source reportedly told the Mail: “Travis is very excited that Eric Bieniemy is coming back to the Chiefs as offensive coordinator as it will jolt the team’s offense back to their glory days.

“Travis was at his best under Bieniemy’s guidance and that signing has been a huge deal for him, along with wanting to play with Patrick (Mahomes) one more time.”