The Kansas City Chiefs have secured Travis Kelce for three more years, but they are also planning for the future by signing undrafted free agent tight end John Michael Gyllenborg. The 2026 NFL Draft saw Gyllenborg go undrafted, but he quickly found a home with the Chiefs, where he will have the opportunity to learn from one of the best tight ends in NFL history.
Gyllenborg's Decision to Join the Chiefs
Speaking at the rookie minicamp, Gyllenborg explained his decision to choose Kansas City. "This is football. It's the most competitive sport ever, so you can't let your feelings get to you; you have to remember we're still out here playing ball," he said. "We had to make a decision quick after the draft, and at that point, knowing that the Chiefs were on the table is like, 'Well, yeah, I'm going to go to the Chiefs.' But I also have to separate my bias at that point and understand that I have to do what's best for me. Even while separating that, the Chiefs were always the best option for me. The offense loves tight ends, and they wanted me really bad, and obviously, I wanted to be here. It was pretty much a no-brainer for me."
Learning from Travis Kelce
Head coach Andy Reid frequently utilizes two or three tight ends simultaneously to create flexibility and versatility, enhancing the run game and providing reliable targets for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With Travis Kelce as the star tight end, Gyllenborg will have an unparalleled opportunity to learn from a three-time Super Bowl champion. This mentorship could be crucial for Gyllenborg's development as he adapts to the NFL.
John Michael Gyllenborg's Draft Profile
Gyllenborg played for the Wyoming Cowboys in 2025, recording 24 receptions on 35 targets for 212 receiving yards and one touchdown. He earned a 54.1 overall PFF grade, ranking 159th among 199 qualified tight ends. Over his college career, he caught 80 passes for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns in 43 games, with 19 starts. He ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and achieved a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.72, ranking 39th among 1,372 tight ends between 1987 and 2026.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 249 pounds, Gyllenborg possesses the athleticism to challenge defenses. According to Heavy Sports' Perry Miller Carpenter, his production does not always match his physical tools, but his size and movement give him potential at the next level. The PFF Scouting Report describes him as a high-percentile athlete with strong route-running ability and explosive play potential. He best fits as a receiving tight end who can align in the slot or backfield, though his blocking impact will be limited due to inconsistent leverage.
Per NFL Draft Buzz, Gyllenborg's strengths include stacking linebackers on seam routes before they can recover leverage and being a natural hands catcher who completes grabs through contact at the second level. His weaknesses include wavering ball tracking and focus near the catch point, leading to avoidable drops, and unreliable pass-protection technique.
Gyllenborg's Background
Gyllenborg is a Kansas City native who attended Rockhurst High School. His journey to football was unconventional. "I grew up here in K.C. and played every sport growing up, except football, cause my grandpa didn't want me to," he said via Arrowhead Addict. "And then got to Rockhurst, and when coach Kelly Donohoe came in my senior year, it was also COVID, he just was basically like, 'Come out and have fun with the boys. You'll love it.' I just went out thinking, 'Okay, this is for fun.' I'm still focused on basketball or baseball or whatever and ended up playing three games and got hurt. But Wyoming stuck around and offered me, and, you know, that's how that all kind of happened."
He added, "Coach [Craig] Bohl, who was the coach at the time, was really tight with Donohoe. And I think they just liked the upside I provided. I wasn't very good or anything like that, but they liked the upside that I provided as a tall, lengthy, fast guy. [Kelly] Donohoe, through his encouragement, was like, 'You should go do this. You have the upside.' And here we are today."
The bizarre path that led Gyllenborg to the Kansas City Chiefs is a story worth telling. Whether his future will be shaped by legendary Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce remains to be seen.
