The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for life after Travis Kelce. While the future Hall of Famer is set to return for the 2026 season, the clock is ticking on his legendary career. That has the Chiefs' front office—and fans—wondering: who will be the next great tight end in Kansas City?

One intriguing option could come from an unexpected place: the NFC North. According to Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox, Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet might be available as a post-June 1 trade target. At just 26 years old, Kmet still has plenty of football ahead of him, and his best season came in 2023 when he racked up 719 yards and six touchdowns. However, his production dipped in 2025, with only 347 yards and two scores on 30 receptions, largely due to the arrival of rookie Colston Loveland in Chicago.

While the draft offered some potential replacements—like Kenyon Sadiq—a veteran like Kmet could bring immediate stability. A trade would also free up $5 million in cap space for the Bears, making it a win-win. But is Kmet the right fit for Andy Reid's system? He hasn't been consistently productive over the last two seasons, but his 2023 numbers suggest there's still untapped potential. With his youth and experience, he could be a smart, low-risk investment for a team that wants to stay competitive now and in the future.

For Chiefs fans, the search for Kelce's heir is just beginning. Whether it's through the draft, free agency, or a trade like this one, the front office will need to act before the legend hangs up his cleats. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.