Noah Gray’s NFL journey comes with a strange twist: the better his opportunity gets, the worse it likely is for everyone else.
Being the second tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs is a precarious position, of course. It's the sort of role that only a few could even begin to understand, a player who has relished learning from the best ever to play the position—the same player who has cast a shadow and limited Gray's opportunities ever since the Chiefs drafted him back in 2021.
Not that Gray has ever complained, and no one needs to surmise that he's unhappy with his role. The Chiefs rewarded Gray with a surprising three-year contract extension back in 2024, and it can't hurt to win championships while playing with Patrick Mahomes and for Andy Reid.
But if we're interested in the nuance of things, it's worth mentioning that Gray's position is a unique one and the tension might come unraveled in 2025.
Gray’s Opportunity Comes with a Cost
The two-sided coin for Gray goes something like this: On the one hand, Gray has displayed considerable upside and reliable production so far for the Chiefs and could really blossom if given the chance. On the other hand, no one really wants to see that happen because of what it would mean for Travis Kelce's status.
For Gray to truly become a TE1, it would require an injury for Kelce or a decision to walk away from the game. Either way, Kelce has to be out of the picture for Gray to emerge as a primary target for the Chiefs at tight end. And that's bad news for the franchise's faithful fan base—no matter how they feel about Gray as well.
In the meantime, that's kept Gray in an interesting conundrum as a player who everyone believes could fare better in the NFL while simultaneously never wanting to see that theory tested.
Noah Gray's moment might be coming
Like it or not, Gray looks like he might be getting his moment sooner than later. Rumors persist that this could be Travis Kelce's final season with the Chiefs after needing more time than ever to decide whether or not he would return for the 2025 season.
These days, Kelce has one foot in the entertainment world, a high-profile relationship, and every on-field accolade already locked up. All signs point toward a farewell tour.
If Kelce can stay healthy, Gray could come into his final season of his second contract as the team's best tight end. But it's also possible Gray could become just as important during the upcoming campaign if something goes wrong with Kelce.
Nearly every NFL player eventually hits the wall, and it's a rare few who decide to walk away before Father Time claims them first. It's all natural, of course, since football is such a demanding game and Kelce's legacy is well-assured. If something does go south in '25, it would be understandable.
Yet that's also the point where this gets sad. While Patrick Mahomes is the franchise face, Kelce has been a 1A, of sorts. He's given the Chiefs two household names on offense, another globally marketable figure who oozes charisma and commands the spotlight. He's also been automatic as Mahomes' most trusted target for the last seven seasons.
Things are going to feel very different for Chiefs Kingdom the moment that Kelce is no longer around—whether due to injury or retirement. And that's an awkward position for Gray—at least in any sort of celebratory way that allows him to prosper.
In other words, most Chiefs fans would likely say they believe Gray is capable of being one of the NFL's more productive tight ends if given a chance. Yet no one wants that chance to actually play out. That’s not a knock on Gray. It’s just the cruel irony of being next in line behind a legend.
