With Kansas City Chiefs training camp practice less than two weeks away, it is not the familiar faces getting all the hype, but a group of unknown tight ends battling for snaps. While Noah Gray enters his sixth season, the focus is squarely on the rest of the bunch, a truly unknown quantity that now has a massive opportunity to earn a roster spot, possibly even the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, thanks to a new offensive coaching staff.
Jared Wiley's Comeback Story Is Seriously Underrated
Remember Jared Wiley? The guy tore his ACL midway through his rookie year, and was sidelined for basically all of 2025 until Thanksgiving Day. Then, filling in for a concussed Gray against the Dallas Cowboys, he snagged his only reception of the year: a crucial short throw on fourth down. Talk about clutch! As a rookie, Wiley was a more consistent presence on offense, and showed vertical-route playmaking at TCU. So why did the Chiefs front office then completely ignore the tight end position in free agency and the draft this offseason? That move definitely tells you what they thought of his impact, but nearly two years removed from that knee injury, it is time to expect more of that vertical-route magic in camp and the preseason.Jake Briningstool Is an Athletic Wild Card
Then there is Jake Briningstool, a straight-up athletic phenom who saw his 2025 season cruelly cut short by a hamstring injury in the very first week of training camp. Before that, though, his Clemson numbers were ridiculous: 127 receptions, 1,380 yards, and 17 touchdowns from 2021 to 2024. In his final year as a Tiger, Briningstool lined up as a receiver in the slot or out wide for 57% of his offensive snaps, showcasing a versatility the Chiefs' offense could really use. He was used on short passes more often than downfield, getting the ball in his hands fast. Sure, he had a career-high four drops in a season he also scored a career-high seven touchdowns, but his strengths are definitely in pass catching. He is not a blocker, but who cares when he can rack up stats like that? This is it for these guys. The Chiefs will hold their first full-team practice for season-ticket holders on Wednesday, July 29, with the first public practice the very next day. With the front office seemingly overlooking the tight end spot, this "unknown bunch" has everything to gain. Watch for Wiley to flash those vertical routes and Briningstool to make plays with his hands. This training camp is going to be a battle, and one of these guys could totally surprise everyone.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.