Arrowheadlines: This could be a make or break season for Mike Caliendo

Arrowheadlines: This could be a make or break season for Mike Caliendo
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Chiefs headlines for Thursday, June 5

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Make-or-break candidates: James Cook, Justin Fields among players at crossroads in 2025 NFL season | NFL.com

Mike Caliendo

Kansas City Chiefs · OG

The Chiefs moved on from Joe Thuney this offseason, shipping out the most trustworthy member of the left side of their line. Caliendo got a chance to start at left guard late last season after Thuney moved to left tackle, but now he has a chance to win the job at left guard outright — although he’s battling against 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia for the gig. In fact, the whole left side of the line is auditioning, with free-agent addition Jaylon Moore looking to fill the void at left tackle and 2025 first-round pick Josh Simmons set to compete when he’s healthy enough to do so as he returns from a torn patellar tendon. However, Caliendo is facing the pressure of being in a contract year. Oh, and he also must protect Patrick Mahomes, the superstar face of a perennial Super Bowl contender.

‘Last ride?’ Where Travis Kelce currently ranks among all-time tight ends as Chiefs star enters Year 13 in NFL | CBS Sports

3. Travis Kelce (Chiefs, 2013-present)

Career receiving stats: 1,004 receptions, 12,151 yards, 77 touchdowns

Kelce has taken the baton from previous greats at his position and run with it. In addition to his postseason records, Kelce’s seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving is also a first for the position.

It’s hard to nitpick Kelce’s career, but if we are trying to figure out the greatest tight end in NFL history, we’ve got to look at everything. He’s played his entire career inside the Chiefs’ pass-first offense in an era where defensive backs are more limited than ever when it comes to what they can do against offensive players. Kelce’s disappearing act in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss (4/39/0) to the Eagles also somewhat hurts him from a legacy standpoint.

There’s no shame in being No. 3 on the list of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, though. And Kelce still has (at least) one more year to state his case as the greatest of all time.

Ranking each NFL team’s top QB-WR/TE duo ahead of the 2025 season | PFF

13. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: PATRICK MAHOMES & RASHEE RICE

One might be surprised that it’s not Kelce who is tied to Mahomes. Through the first three games last year, Rice recorded 24 receptions (first in NFL), 288 yards (second) and two touchdowns before he got hurt, while Kelce posted just eight receptions, 69 yards and no touchdowns.

Mahomes owns an elite 90.0 PFF passing grade when targeting Rice over the past two seasons, but he does have four turnover-worthy plays to match four big-time throws and a low average depth of target of just 5.1 yards.

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