Chiefs TE Travis Kelce keeps it real about how far along Jared Wiley is compared to his own rookie season
Kansas City Chiefs rookie TE Jared Wiley has been turning some heads during OTAs and he kept that train rolling during the first day of mandatory minicamp practice. The 6-foot-6 and 250-pound tight end was targeted and caught multiple passes during team drills. He even had a pair of the best receptions during the day with […]
Kansas City Chiefs rookie TE Jared Wiley has been turning some heads during OTAs and he kept that train rolling during the first day of mandatory minicamp practice.
The 6-foot-6 and 250-pound tight end was targeted and caught multiple passes during team drills. He even had a pair of the best receptions during the day with the first team.
According to The Athletic's Nate Taylor, Wiley caught a no-look pass in stride from star QB Patrick Mahomes in the first team drills they ran on Tuesday. He also caught a leaping touchdown grab in 7-on-7 red zone work against one of the Chiefs' longest cornerbacks, Joshua Williams.
Speaking to reporters after practice, veteran tight end Travis Kelce was asked about what he's seen from the rookie so far. He revealed that Wiley is much more advanced than Kelce was as a rookie back in 2013. That's notable given the two players have similar backgrounds as former quarterbacks converted to the tight end position.
“J Wiley, man, I’ll tell you what, he’s got a lot of upside," Kelce said. "He’s got a lot of upside. (He’s) very comfortable, smart guy. I would say he’s a lot further along than I was as a rookie in terms of just understanding the offense and really seeing the field. He’s trusting what he’s seeing right now and I’ll tell you what, 15 (Patrick Mahomes), 11 (Carson Wentz), the quarterbacks are on time with him. It’s fun to watch him kind of take off and get more comfortable out there.”
Wiley will contribute to Kelce's load management plan in 2024
In his age-35 season, Kelce knows that he won't be on the field for every single play. The Chiefs have to manage his workload, but also not sacrifice what he brings to the table. Kelce says he's a lot more comfortable coming off the field now with a player like Wiley in the fold, along with the rest of the tight end room.
"I understand that it's for the betterment of the team when I'm not (in the game) and I just, I've had to kind of understand that over the past couple of years," Kelce said. "I'm more comfortable with that right now because of the guys that we have in the room. Their ability like Noah (Gray), (Jared) Wiley is doing a great job right now. Obviously, we brought an Irv (Smith). We got a lot of great tight ends in the building and it's just fun seeing them have success as well."
That has to be a lot easier to process when you're seeing a player like Wiley have early success in the system. Kelce's always been a team-first player and during the back end of his career, he'll have to yield some snaps to the rookie for the sake of longevity.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice not letting off-field distractions slow his second-year development
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