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.
“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.
DALLAS DELIVERS THE DAGGER! Cowboys DEEPEN Eagles’ misery after Christian Parker by SNATCHING their explosive free-agent target (113 TACKLES!). This is a WAR.-vdt
In the cutthroat world of NFC East rivalries, the Dallas Cowboys just twisted the knife deeper into the Philadelphia Eagles’ wounded pride. Fresh off poaching rising star defensive coordinator Christian Parker from Philly’s nest, the Cowboys are now eyeing – and potentially landing – one of the Eagles’ most versatile defensive weapons: unrestricted free agent safety Reed Blankenship. This isn’t just free agency; it’s outright warfare, with Jerry Jones raiding the Eagles’ roster like a bandit in broad daylight.
The saga kicked off on Thursday when Dallas made headlines by luring 34-year-old Parker away from Philadelphia, where he had masterminded the transformation of the Eagles’ secondary into a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Under Parker’s tutelage, rookies like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean blossomed into first-team All-Pro studs, turning Philly’s backfield into a lockdown unit. But the Cowboys aren’t content with just stealing the architect – they’re after the blueprints too. Enter Blankenship, the hard-hitting safety who exploded onto the scene in 2023 with a jaw-dropping 113 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 passes defended. That’s the kind of production that screams “difference-maker,” and now, with Parker calling the shots in Dallas, a reunion could be the ultimate gut punch to the Eagles.
Blankenship’s 2025 season wasn’t his finest hour – Pro Football Focus slapped him with a dismal 46.5 grade, ranking him 92nd out of 98 qualifying safeties. Injuries ravaged Philly’s defense, thrusting him into a lead role he wasn’t fully prepared for, leading to inconsistencies that made him look more mortal than monster. But let’s not kid ourselves: that 2023 breakout wasn’t a fluke. As Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report noted in his top 50 free agent rankings (where Blankenship slotted in at No. 19), the guy isn’t elite in one area, but he’s a Swiss Army knife on the field – tackling, coverage, instincts, you name it. In the right system, with the right coach, he could rediscover that fire.
And what better system than Parker’s? The Cowboys’ secondary has its own headaches, with 31-year-old Donovan Wilson hitting free agency and questions swirling about depth. Blankenship could slide in as a seamless fit, providing cover while Dallas eyes draft gems like Ohio State’s Caleb Downs with one of their two first-round picks in April. Or perhaps re-signing Malik Hooker to pair with him, creating a tandem that echoes the Eagles’ glory days – irony at its finest.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are reeling. Losing Parker was bad enough, but firing offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has injected chaos into a team already grappling with post-championship hangover vibes. Blankenship’s departure would strip away another piece of their defensive identity, leaving fans in Philly wondering if this is the start of a full-blown exodus. A fresh start in Dallas, under his former DB coach, might be exactly what Blankenship needs to reset and reclaim his All-Pro potential. For the Cowboys, it’s about injecting that Eagles championship DNA into their veins – every last drop.
Of course, this isn’t a blank-check scenario. Blankenship’s down year means he’s no surefire superstar, and Dallas shouldn’t overpay for a player who’s proven he thrives in a supporting role. But if Parker gives the green light – and why wouldn’t he, given their history? – Jerry Jones should pounce without hesitation. This move isn’t just about bolstering the defense; it’s a statement. The NFC East is a battlefield, and the Cowboys are loading up for total domination.
As the free agency frenzy heats up, one thing’s clear: the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry just got personal. Dallas isn’t just building a team; they’re dismantling their foes one poach at a time. This is war, folks – and the Cowboys are winning the early skirmishes. Stay tuned; the dagger might not be done twisting yet.