The road to a secure roster spot just got tougher for rookie tight end Jared Wiley. Once seen as a strong candidate to emerge behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, Wiley now finds himself in the midst of a fierce battle to make the final 53-man roster.

After recovering from a knee injury suffered last November, Wiley returned to workouts this offseason — even participating in drills with a visible knee brace during “Camp Mahomes” and OTAs. Though his recovery shows promise, the competition around him has escalated.

Veteran tight end Robert Tonyan, known for his 52-catch, 11-touchdown breakout season with Green Bay, brings proven NFL experience. Undrafted rookie Jake Briningstool is also generating buzz with his pass-catching upside and physical tools.

While Wiley’s strength lies in his receiving ability, the Chiefs often ask their TE3 to contribute as a blocker and on special teams — areas where Wiley must improve if he hopes to stay in Kansas City.

With the 2025 season fast approaching, Wiley’s path to the active roster is anything but guaranteed. He’ll need a strong showing in training camp to prove he belongs in a tight end room loaded with competition.

All eyes now turn to St. Joseph — will Wiley rise to the challenge or be the odd man out?