Chiefs rookie shows exactly how he can help the offense in 2024 with highlight-reel grab at training camp
Kansas City Chiefs rookie tight end Jared Wiley might find himself third on the team's depth chart behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, but that doesn't mean he can't contribute in a big way in 2024.The Chiefs found during the 2023 NFL postseason that using 13 personnel (three tight ends, one running back) was a bit […]
Kansas City Chiefs rookie tight end Jared Wiley might find himself third on the team's depth chart behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, but that doesn't mean he can't contribute in a big way in 2024.
The Chiefs found during the 2023 NFL postseason that using 13 personnel (three tight ends, one running back) was a bit of a cheat code. Most teams nowadays are built to defend high-powered passing offenses, where different sub-packages are closer to base defenses than what are actual base defenses. After wide receiver struggles throughout the year, Kansas City sought to fix their offense with something teams found more difficult to defend.
This isn't the first time they've stumbled upon this cheat code either. In 2022, they were one of the most effective teams in the league using 13 personnel with Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jody Fortson in the fold. Now, it looks like they're getting back to using that personnel grouping and using it effectively.
Chiefs TE Jared Wiley proving his value in 13 personnel
During training camp practice on Tuesday, the team ran a 13-personnel play with rookie TE Jared Wiley playing the role often played by TE Jody Fortson in the past. Isolated against a cornerback, Patrick Mahomes put the ball where the 6-foot-6 and 250-pound Wiley can perfectly pluck it out of the sky.
Our friend Eddie High captured the video at practice:
Last year, the Chiefs led the NFL in passes thrown out of 13 personnel. It looks like they could trend that way again in 2024, especially in condensed areas of the field like the red zone. The first-team offense didn't have a lot of success against the first-team defense in this drill on Tuesday, as this was one of their only looks resulting in a touchdown that didn't involve Patrick Mahomes targeting WR Rashee Rice.
It wasn't an easy grab for the rookie either. This angle from KC Sports Network just goes to show how patience paid off for Wiley and impatience got the best of Jaylen Watson.
Wiley might not have a crazy productive season where he's breaking Chiefs rookie records at the tight end position in this role. However, he'll be an important part of the offense and produce in an important area of the field if he keeps this up.
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