Chiefs Reportedly Eye $50 Million Tight End Trade for Kelce Succession

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for the eventual retirement of star tight end Travis Kelce, who will turn 36 in 2025 and has at least one season left in his NFL career. Analysts suggest the Chiefs consider trading for Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet, a 26-year-old who could serve as both a complementary player alongside Kelce and a future successor, especially given Kmet's connection to Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The Bears' recent drafting of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and Kmet's sizable contract make a trade plausible, with the Chiefs potentially benefiting from his experience and skill set. Additionally, the Chiefs may look to bolster their running back room by targeting versatile veteran Cordarrelle Patterson from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who could add depth and special teams value. These moves reflect Kansas City's strategy to maintain its status as a Super Bowl contender by balancing veteran leadership with future planning. Meanwhile, the Steelers might also consider reuniting with former running back Najee Harris, who is currently with the Los Angeles Chargers but could be traded back to Pittsburgh.