Jared Wiley Beyond Excited To Learn From Travis Kelce

If you are going to be a new tight end joining a particular NFL offense, there are arguably no places better than the Kansas City Chiefs. By going to Kansas City in this year’s NFL Draft, Jared Wiley is getting an opportunity to learn from possibly the best tight end of all-time, Travis Kelce. While not a carbon copy, Wiley offers similar movement skills to that of Kelce, due to his size. On top of that, both players took a somewhat similar path to their current position of tight end upon entering the NFL.

What is Jared Wiley looking to do when learning from someone like Travis Kelce? Plus, how could the early part of their football careers lead to further advice? Let’s kick it off.

Wiley Looking To Absorb Information, Pick Up Tips From Kelce

With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Chiefs have been conducting their rookie minicamp. Jared Wiley talked about the chance to learn from Travis Kelce during his media availability. Simply put, Wiley is looking to be a sponge around the tight end who will be entering his 12th career season.

“I’ve been studying him for like three or four years. So, just being able to be in the same position room as him now, it’s kind of like a starstruck feeling,” Wiley said. “I’ve watched him play for a lot of years and try to model my game after him in some areas that I can. But, just being able to absorb information from him. 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.”

The history of Kelce mentoring offensive teammates is well documented. Obviously, there is a reason why he has become one of the top leaders and captains on Kansas City’s team. Kelce has not even been shy about giving advice to opposing players, as we saw in a mic’d up moment last year. For Jared Wiley, there will be no better tight end to learn from as a possible understudy.

Transitioning To Tight End

Similar to Travis Kelce, Jared Wiley has experience playing quarterback throughout the early part of his football career. Kelce at least got to play tight end in college at Cincinnati. Of course, this followed his high school stint as a quarterback. But for Wiley, the transition from quarterback to tight end was a bit later in his football career. After being a passer in his final year of high school in the state of Texas, Wiley described the difficult change in spots.

He mentioned how the blocking drills were something that took him some time after elevating to college football. And after starting out his college career for the Texas Longhorns, Wiley transferred to TCU. He described how “a lot of practicing” went into making the transition to tight end complete. And with that push through a new challenge, the comfortability and confidence is higher for Wiley. In addition to the position change, Wiley talked about learning multiple offensive schemes in his college career. As a result, his adaptability has only made him stronger and more prepared to join a diverse offense like the Chiefs.

A Greater Ceiling Could Always Be Met

Because of that past transition still being so recent, you could argue that Jared Wiley still has some of his best football left ahead of him. By no means, are we saying he will put up the numbers and have the longevity that Travis Kelce has had. Yet, Wiley will only continue to improve his craft as a pass catcher and all-around tight end within the NFL. For Kansas City, they have been lacking in having a larger pass catcher within the offense. If Wiley can continue to fine-tune all elements of his game, the Chiefs could not have found a better tight end to essentially receive the baton from Kelce. If that future ceiling is ultimately met, Jared Wiley could be a tremendous gem for the Kansas City offensive attack.