‘Starstruck’… Kansas City Chiefs rookie says he has been studying one key player for several years

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Travis Kelce is already recognised as one of the best tight ends in Kansas City Chiefs and NFL history.

He’s been in the league since 2013 and at 34 is still in his prime, “looking like a 28-year-old”, as Andy Reid so aptly put it.

Now that Kelce has signed to remain in KC until at least the end of the 2025 season, the franchise took the opportunity to make a move in the Draft and bring in a young talent to develop and learn from Kelce.

TE Jared Wiley is excited and very focused on taking the veteran’s place in the future. And he’ll probably be on the field this year.

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Brett Veach had previously warned that he was looking for a TEs combo

At the post-draft press conference, general manager Brett Veach commented that the organisation’s idea was to strengthen the tight ends corps and that it’s not easy to have a powerful combo of players in this position.

“It just seems to be like the last few years, [it’s been] harder to find tight ends in the draft than it had been in the past,” claimed the GM.

Wiley’s selection suggested that the Chiefs have interesting plans for him in the game.

“And I think you do get a chance — depending on where you pick — maybe to select a receiving tight end or a blocking tight end. But these combo tight ends are hard to find.” added Veach.

Wiley has been doing his homework for years

TCU’s product arrival is gradually proving to be a pleasant surprise for the franchise.

Jared Wiley attended the minicamp that took place last Saturday and spoke about what an inspiration Kelce is to him.

“I’ve been studying him for like three or four years. Just being able to be in the same position room as him now, it’s kind of like a starstruck feeling.”

“Just being able to absorb information from him and learn from him and see his habits and kind of just be a fly on the wall for basically what he does day in and day out, I’m super excited about that.”

You can imagine how incredible it must be for a young talent to have the opportunity to be drafted by the team that owns the player he sees most as a reference in the sport.

“I’ve watched him play for a lot of years – and [have tried] to model my game after him in some areas that I can. Just being able to absorb information from him, learn from him, see his habits [to] kind of just be a fly on the wall for basically what he does day-in and day-out? I’m super excited about that.”

Coach Reid is happy with what he’s been watching

Now at the rookie camp, Andy Reid has taken the opportunity to observe and analyse the skills of the new players.

The head coach seems to have enjoyed what he saw on the field: “I liked what I saw. A big kid that can change direction. He was a good blocker in college, so we’ll see if that transfers. I thought he caught the ball well. I thought he did a pretty good job.”

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