The Kansas City Chiefs know that they will soon have to operate offensively without Travis Kelce.
Whether retirement comes after the 2025 season or not, Kelce's time in the NFL is closing in on its conclusion.
And that's where Noah Gray comes in.
The Chiefs have had so much offensive success with Kelce. Gray has been a solid TE2 for a few seasons now.
But when Kelce leaves, will Gray step in? Will Andy Reid be able to run the same offense, just with No. 83 instead of No. 87?
It's a big question.
MORE: Brock Purdy is going to win MVP for the wildest Marquez Valdes-Scantling reason
Will Noah Gray replace Travis Kelce?
There's good reason to believe that Noah Gray can at least somewhat replace Travis Kelce.
The first is the contract he's on, which keeps him in Kansas City through 2027. The Chiefs can rely on him being around to step up.
The second is the statistical improvement Gray has made from 28 catches for 299 yards and one touchdown in 2022, to 28 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, to 40 catches for 437 yards and five touchdowns in 2024.
The Chiefs didn't make a backup tight end a priority this offseason despite the looming future of a Kelce retirement decision. That likely affirms their confidence in Gray.
MORE: Micah Parsons and Luka Doncic trades are horrifically similar
When will Travis Kelce retire?
The general belief is that Kelce will retire after the 2025 NFL season.
ESPN's Nate Taylor recently wrote, "All signs have pointed to the 2025 season being Kelce's last."
Kelce is in the final year of his contract, and he just got engaged to pop superstar Taylor Swift.
The legendary tight end wants redemption after a disappointing Super Bowl loss, and maybe Kelce's choice will depend on whether the Chiefs win the last game of the season this time around.
Kansas City knows its future Hall of Famer only has so many games left, though, regardless of whether it's this season or a little longer.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- 49ers cut the son of an NFL Hall of Famer
- Bills unveil absolutely incredible 'Cold Front' uniforms
- There was a problem with the Cowboys' $202.5 million contract offer to Micah Parsons
- Titans land the NFL's most coveted player off waivers
- Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence reveal an offensive secret weapon
- Dolphins' X-factor is named Storm Duck