The worst thing that could have happened to one Kansas City Chiefs rookie may actually end up being the best thing
It’s tough news for Kansas City Chiefs rookie tight end John Michael Gyllenborg — but it may end up being the best thing for his long-term outlook.
The Kansas City Chiefs opened up a pair of roster spots on Tuesday when they placed rookie tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and second-year pass rusher Ethan Downs on injured reserve. The move ends both players’ 2026 seasons before they ever really got started, as players placed on injured reserve before the initial roster reduction cannot return during the season unless they reach an injury settlement and are released.
It’s tough news all around. But maybe, just MAYBE…it could be the best possible thing for John Michael Gyllenborg’s long-term outlook with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs can now play the long game with John Michael Gyllenborg
Gyllenborg stands out, to me, as one of the more compelling names undrafted out of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was one of my favorite Day 3 draft prospects at the tight end position this past April before going undrafted. And upon his signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, I liked the fit a lot, too.
But at the same time, there’s a lot of names jostling for position on the depth chart. Travis Kelce is in his swan song season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Noah Gray is looking to recapture old form, while Jared Wiley is looking to live up to his mid-round status. There’s also some buzz for second-year youngster Tre Watson. That is…a lot…of names to navigate for an undrafted rookie.
But then you remember just how different Kansas City’s tight end room could look next year. Kelce is in his swan song this year and figures to be out of the picture. Gray and Wiley will both be in contract years. The opportunity will be much more ripe for the taking if Gyllenborg can make the most of this adversity and endear himself to those in the building.
Think of it as a proverbial redshirt year. And if Gyllenborg ends up being the baller that I believe he’s capable of being, this injury adversity will spare the Chiefs a hard 53-man cut decision and potentially save him from being poached onto someone else’s roster. It’s a disappointing development. But it may well just be the best thing that could have happened for his fit with the Kansas City Chiefs long-term.
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