Chiefs Dave Toub sees potential in a recently elevated tight end: ‘A three-phase player for us’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub sees potential in tight end Peyton Hendershot: ‘A three-phase player for us’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ special teams unit has played well this season, as players rotate often due to injury and needs in the offensive and defensive gameplans. Coordinator Dave Toub is proud of his group but acknowledged the work and potential of former practice squad tight end Peyton Hendershot.

“Yeah, he (Peyton Hendershot) was a good player in Dallas. I talked to (Cowboys Special Teams Coordinator John) Fassel down there, and he called me immediately as soon as we traded for him, and he said, ‘You got my guy.’ He does a good job.” said Toub. “He can run and does a good job; he’s real physical. He understands, has good instincts, and helped us in that game. He was able to step in on a short – you know, obviously, when he (Jared Wiley) got hurt – he got (called up)on short notice and was able to be a three-phase player for us in that game, so it helped.”

Hendershot made his season debut for the Chiefs in last Monday’s overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He will likely play prominently on special teams, but, as Toub said, he should see time on offense filling in for injured tight ends Jody Fortson and Jared Wiley. He had 15 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown during his career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Chiefs rookie tight end suffered a torn ACL during Friday’s practice

Kansas City #Chiefs rookie tight end Jared Wiley suffered a torn ACL during Friday’s practice | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the media on Saturday, revealing another potential season-ending injury to a player on the roster. The latest player to go down is rookie tight end Jared Wiley, which took place during Friday’s practice.

“(Jared) Wiley at practice tore his ACL, non-contact, and it’s one of those freak things,” said Reid. “So he’ll go through that whole process. (Peyton) Hendershot will be brought up, and he’ll work in there, and he’s been taking reps, and he’s played before, so he’ll be okay.”

Peyton Hendershot, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys before the start of the season, was announced as the immediate replacement, elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. During his brief career in Dallas, Hendershot had 15 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown.

Wiley began his college career at the University of Texas in 2019 and started 12 games in his three years there, recording 19 receptions for 248 yards and three touchdowns. In the 2023 season, he had 47 receptions for 520 yards and eight touchdowns for TCU.

The 24-year-old recorded one reception for seven yards this season, spending most of his time on special teams for Kansas City.

Chiefs place fan-favorite TE on injured reserve after Josh Uche trade

The Kansas City #Chiefs are set to place fan-favorite TE Jody Fortson on their injured reserve list after trading for Josh Uche on Monday.

According to a report from Arrowhead Pride Editor-in-Chief Pete Sweeney, the Kansas City Chiefs are placing fan-favorite tight end Jody Fortson on their injured reserve list after acquiring pass-rusher Josh Uche in a trade with the New England Patriots on Monday.

Fortson was active for the Chiefs’ Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday but failed to record a catch in the game.

A three-time Super Bowl champion, Fortson initially signed with Kansas City as a free agent after the 2019 NFL draft and was part of the Chiefs’ roster until March 15, 2024, when he signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Miami released Fortson after training camp on August 25 and signed with Kansas City on September 26.

 

In his absence, the Chiefs will rely on rookie Jared Wiley as the third-string tight end behind Noah Gray and Travis Kelce on their depth chart.

Stay tuned to see how Wiley responds to his increased role in Week 9 when Kansas City hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4.

Chiefs TE Jared Wiley discusses his role in the offense, Travis Kelce’s influence

Kansas City #Chiefs TE Jared Wiley discusses his role in the offense, Travis Kelce’s influence | @EdEastonJr

The rookie class is finding their way in the early stages of the Kansas City Chiefs training camp sessions at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

Chiefs rookie tight end Jared Wiley spoke with the media on Thursday to give his thoughts on training camp, the tight end room, and things he’s learned from Pro Bowler Travis Kelce.

“You can pick up a lot just from his knowledge of the game, whether it’s of our offense. Obviously, he’s been in it for a while,” said Wiley. “Just knowing what the defense is going to do and how he can kind of manipulate his routes, or change what he’s doing, to make them think that he’s doing something else, that’d be the biggest thing that I’d say that I’ve looked at so far.”

Wiley started his college career at the University of Texas in 2019. He started 12 games in his three years there, recording 19 receptions for 248 yards and three touchdowns. In the 2023 season, he had 47 receptions for 520 yards and eight touchdowns for TCU.

“Yeah, I mean, just come in and contribute; I know it’s in our room; we got me, Irv (Smith Jr.), Noah (Gray), Gerritt (Prince), obviously, Trav (Travis Kelce), we have a really talented group. So if I can find a way to come in and contribute as much as I possibly can,” said Wiley. “Whether it’s on special teams, anything they want me to do on offense, that’d be my biggest goal is just to, just to prove that I belong in that room, and just to, you know, be able to be on the field with those guys.”

A solid blocker and red zone threat, Wiley can have an immediate impact in his rookie season.

WATCH: Chiefs TE Jared Wiley catches pass at OTAs

Check out this video of fourth-round pick Jared Wiley catching a pass at #Chiefs OTAs this week

The Kansas City Chiefs added a promising tight end prospect to their roster in the 2024 NFL draft when they selected TCU tight end Jared Wiley.

A massive target with sure hands, Wiley should pair well with Travis Kelce in the Chiefs’ new-look offense next season, providing Patrick Mahomes a much-needed safety valve over the middle.

Though he will have to wait a few months to make his regular season debut, Wiley was seen catching a pass at practice this week, giving fans their first look at Kansas City’s newest tight end.

Check out the video that was posted by the Chiefs’ official Twitter account below:

While Wiley won’t be a starter for Kansas City in 2024, his potential to develop into the heir to Kelce’s throne has been a topic of discussion in Chiefs Kingdom since the draft.

For now, fans will have to wait to see if Wiley can live up to the hype.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid impressed by Jared Wiley at rookie minicamp

Andy Reid told reporters that he was impressed by Jared Wiley at the #Chiefs’ rookie minicamp over the weekend.

In addition to bolstering their offensive line and defensive backfield, the Kansas City Chiefs added firepower to their passing game in the 2024 NFL draft.

Xavier Worthy stole most of the headlines, but one of Kansas City’s most underrated selections was TCU tight end Jared Wiley, who was picked in the fourth round.

While speaking with the media on Monday, Head Coach Andy Reid commented on how Wiley has impressed him so far this offseason.

“I liked what I saw, big kid, could change direction. [Jared Wiley] was a good blocker in college, so we’ll see how that transfers,” Reid began. “I thought he caught the ball well for the most part and retained information. I thought he did a pretty good job there.”

Wiley should be able to contribute to the passing and running games, and he could be a key factor in the red zone offense. Over the past two seasons at TCU, Wiley caught 71 passes for 765 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Chiefs TE Jared Wiley talks expectations for rookie season

Jared Wiley talked to reporters about the expectations he has for himself during a press conference at #Chiefs rookie minicamp.

During the NFL draft, an under-the-radar need for the Kansas City Chiefs was the tight end position.

Travis Kelce is still set to be a key cog in Andy Reid’s offense next season but will turn 35 years old in October.

Jared Wiley, a former TCU tight end who was one of the Chiefs’ fourth-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft, could help take some of the pressure off Kelce and may be a future starter for Kansas City if he can translate his raw talent into productivity.

While addressing the media on Saturday Wiley told reporters about what he hopes to accomplish as a rookie.

“As far as the coaches, [I] just [want to] get in here and learn the offense as fast as possible and be a key contributor on the team however that looks, whether it’s special teams, offense, whatever they ask me to do, I’ll do it,” Wiley began. “My expectations of myself are basically that, I want to come in here, I want to get comfortable, I want to learn the brand and style of football that they play here in Kansas City. I want to be able to do that to the best of my ability.”

Wiley will join a tight end room that includes Kelce, Noah Gray, and Irv Smith, and with his towering presence at 6-foot-6 and 249 pounds, the former TCU tight end could play a crucial part in Kansas City’s red zone offense.

Jared Wiley on preparation, adjusting to Chiefs’ playbook at rookie minicamp

Jared Wiley told reporters about his preparation for the #Chiefs’ rookie minicamp, and one advantage he has for learning Andy Reid’s playbook

The selection of TCU’s Jared Wiley was more insurance for the Kansas City Chiefs at tight end. A solid player throughout his college career, Wiley brings another dynamic to the offense with his ability to adapt to any situation.

The start of rookie minicamp on Saturday allowed Chiefs players to address the media for the first time when workouts concluded. Wiley described his adjustment to the NFL system and early work with the coaching staff.

“I got to talk to some of the coaches a little bit yesterday about it,” Wiley explained. “As far as my study habits and stuff go, [I] just draw whatever the play is. Normally, teams will give you drawings or whatever, and you draw those on a sheet of paper.

“Then if I can, I try to get a script or whatever for practice, and then I go in and write whatever I have on it; stuff like walkthroughs and everything like that, that helps a ton too.”

Wiley played in multiple offensive systems throughout his collegiate career, having attended two schools. He transitioned from Texas to TCU and has adjusted quickly to new playbooks, which he believes will be to his advantage during rookie minicamp.

“I had to learn five different offenses while I was in college, so this is my sixth one in six years,” said Wiley. “It’s part of my normal routine now, I guess, so I don’t think I’ll have much trouble with it.”

Travis Kelce signed a contract extension shortly after the NFL Draft, firmly securing his role in the franchise for the next few years so Wiley can learn under one of the greatest ever to play the position.

Chiefs TE Jared Wiley ‘confident’ in his ability to produce in red zone

#Chiefs tight end Jared Wiley says he’s confident in his ability to produce for Kansas City in the red zone.

The Kansas City Chiefs are reinforcing their tight end room with a promising offensive weapon in fourth-round draft pick Jared Wiley. The former TCU standout is potentially the missing piece in solving the Chiefs’ issues in the red zone, especially when Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce is not available.

Wiley spoke with reporters via Zoom shortly after he was drafted and didn’t take long to share his thoughts on his role in the offense.

“Yeah, I’m really confident in myself, especially in the red zone. I felt like that was a spot this past year where I really made my money, so to speak,” said Wiley. “I try to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself, especially down there in the red zone. I’m excited for an opportunity like that and I’m definitely going to make the most of it.”

The Chiefs signed Irv Smith Jr. at the start of free agency after the departure of Jody Fortson to the Miami Dolphins. Noah Gray is currently slotted as the second tight end, but head coach Andy Reid often features many different sets, as Wiley has witnessed from afar over the years.

“I would say that if you ask anybody and they say that they don’t watch the Chiefs, I would say that they’re lying to you,” Wiley explained. “You know they’re a super explosive offense. They’re really fun to watch, a big play offense, and like I said earlier (they have) the best quarterback in the NFL (Patrick Mahomes), some of the best receivers in the NFL, the best tight end in the NFL (Travis Kelce). Just watching their offense and how they operate and how they move, it’s so exciting to watch week in and week out, and I’m really excited to be able to get to be a part of that.”

The defending champions, who have struggled at various points throughout the season, will welcome an increase in red zone production. Wiley had eight touchdowns in his last season at TCU, so he knows how to get into the endzone.

Commanders to host TCU tight end Jared Wiley on top 30 visit

Wiley caught 12 touchdown passes over the past two seasons.

The Washington Commanders released starting tight end Logan Thomas this offseason and signed veteran Zach Ertz to replace him. Ertz joins John Bates, Cole Turner and Armani Rogers as tight ends on Washington’s roster.

Ertz was signed to a one-year deal, meaning the Commanders likely still view tight end as a need heading into the 2024 NFL draft.

Washington brought in Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders on a top-30 visit. Saunders is widely viewed as the second-best tight end in the draft behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers. We can now add another tight end to the Commanders’ visit list.

According to Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report, TCU tight end Jared Wiley will visit Washington.

Wiley is a 6-foot-6, 249-pound prospect from Temple, Texas, and began his career at the University of Texas. After three seasons in Austin, Wiley transferred to TCU, where he played his final two seasons. In three years at Texas, Wiley had 19 receptions. Over the past two seasons, Wiley caught 71 passes for 765 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Wiley would be a good day-three pick for the Commanders.