While Travis Kelce is still undecided about his future, the Kansas City Chiefs are already thinking about life after a generational tight end. Andy Reid’s search for the future has already stretched beyond familiar Power Five pipelines, drawing the team’s attention to an under-the-radar college prospect whose rise from his high school days has been compelling enough to attract interest from nearly a third of the league.

“Troy @TroyTrojansFB tight end Ethan Conner @CGSAllStar met with #Texans #Saints #Eagles #Chiefs #Patriots #Titans #Vikings #Browns #Steelers,” veteran reporter Aaron Wilson wrote on his X account.

So, there it is. Conner has already held meetings with Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs. And from the looks of it, professional scouts have clearly taken notice of his development. But what makes Conner’s emergence notable is not just the volume of interest, but also the path that led him here.

A native of Columbus, Mississippi, Conner was never a highly touted high school recruit despite earning all-state honors and showcasing positional versatility on both sides of the ball. His college journey began not at a Division I program, but at East Mississippi Community College, where his role was anything but conventional. As a freshman, he was deployed primarily as a short-yardage quarterback near the goal line, using his 6-foot-4 frame as a power runner rather than a pass catcher. That adaptability became a defining trait.

At EMCC, made nationally familiar through Netflix’s Last Chance U, Conner learned quickly that survival depended on adaptability. As a freshman, he wasn’t catching passes or running routes; he was taking snaps as a short-yardage quarterback near the goal line, absorbing contact and finding the end zone with his body rather than his hands. That experience, he later reflected, mirrored the discipline and accountability of a Division I environment, from practice structure to film study.

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By his sophomore season at EMCC, Conner expanded his responsibilities, lining up at receiver while continuing to serve as a physical rushing option. That year was defined as much by adversity as success. “We went through a lot of ups and downs,” Conner said, recalling a season capped by a dramatic comeback win over Mississippi Gulf Coast on national television. “That bond showed on the field.” The Lions finished as conference champions, and Conner left junior college not just with production but with proof that he could grow into whatever role was asked of him.

When Conner transferred to Troy ahead of the 2023 season, the transition was immediate. In his first Division I game, he recorded four receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first Troy tight end since at least 1990 to haul in multiple touchdown receptions in a single contest. Even then, Conner deflected attention, crediting coaches for putting him in position and teammates for making the plays possible. That junior campaign, however, was interrupted by injury. Shoulder and forearm issues sidelined him for four games, forcing him into a stretch defined less by physical rehab and more by mental endurance.

“When I found out I had to sit out, it hit me hard,” Conner admitted. What carried him through, he said, was the daily presence of teammates and coaches who checked in on him, making sure he stayed motivated and mentally grounded.

He returned late in the season, finishing with 16 catches for 168 yards and four touchdowns, including a steady performance in Troy’s Birmingham Bowl appearance against Duke. Furthermore, throughout his collegiate career, he has proven to be a reliable weapon on the field, recording 59 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns.

Conner’s most complete season came as a redshirt senior in 2025, when he started all 14 games and earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors. He caught 31 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns, consistently moving the chains and generating explosive plays downfield. Nearly 70 percent of his targets were converted into receptions, with 18 of those catches resulting in first downs and 10 going for 15 yards or more.

Conner’s next big step toward a pro career is the 2026 NFL Combine. There, he can impress scouts and coaches through a series of physical tests and interviews.

The Combine will be a continuation of a steady climb that has been built on role flexibility, physical durability after setbacks, and situational reliability. At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, he profiles as a tight end who can contribute in multiple alignments rather than as a single-use receiving threat, a trait that has increasingly appealed to NFL evaluators.

Notably, it’s not the first time a franchise has been forced to devise a succession plan for a legendary tight end. Back in 2016, the San Diego Chargers selected Hunter Henry with the No. 35 overall selection in the second round as a replacement for veteran tight end Antonio Gates.

Kansas City’s interest follows a similar logic. Rather than searching for an immediate one-to-one replacement for Kelce’s production, the Chiefs appear focused on identifying developmental pieces early. Basically, players whose skill sets can be molded within the system long before a definitive transition becomes necessary.

As for Conner, this national platform gives him the perfect opportunity to showcase his athletic talent to every team in the league. While he is currently projected as a mid-round pick, a strong performance in the Combine drills could significantly boost his draft stock and make him one of the most sought-after versatile targets in the draft.

The Chiefs’ proactive scouting is a direct response to the uncertainty surrounding their future Hall of Fame tight end, Travis Kelce, who is openly contemplating retirement.

Travis Kelce is unsure if he will return for the 2026 season

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is currently unsure about his future in football. After playing for 13 years and winning three Super Bowls, the 36-year-old tight end says he needs time to decide if he will retire now that his contract is ending. While he considered walking away last year, he ultimately chose to play one more season because he felt he could still compete at a high level.

“Either it hits me quick, or I’ve got to take some time,” said Kelce when asked about his future. “Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to give this kind of one [year] a shot. We’ll see.”

This past season was particularly difficult for the team. For the first time in over a decade, the Chiefs failed to make the playoffs, ending their run with a narrow 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the team’s struggles, Kelce reached a major personal milestone during that final game, becoming only the third tight end in NFL history to gain 13,000 career receiving yards.

Kelce plans to spend the coming weeks talking with his family and teammates to figure things out. He mentioned that this year feels different, and he wants to see how his body feels after the ‘wear and tear’ of the season. 

Off the field, he has a busy summer ahead, as he is expected to marry his fiancée, Taylor Swift. Even with the uncertainty, Kelce shared that he still has a deep love for his team and the game of football.