NFL free agency 2026: Best landing spots for Pitts, Kelce, top tight ends

Tight ends can be a quarterback’s best friend.

This year’s free agent crop of tight ends features a blend of young and veteran players, with Kyle Pitts and Isaiah Likely among the top two free agent tight ends available.

Then there are veterans like Dallas Goedert and David Njoku. Travis Kelce, who is contemplating retirement, is also a free agent.

Where will the top free agent tight ends land?

NFL teams are permitted to contact free agents at noon ET on March 9. Teams can officially sign free agents when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.

USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the top free agent tight ends.

Kyle Pitts (2025 team: Falcons)

Best fit: Commanders

Pitts compiled single-season bests in catches (88) and touchdown receptions (5). The athletic tight end is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, but he’s struggled with consistency throughout his career. Pitts’ ceiling, however, makes him the top tight end in free agency.

The Commanders have questions at tight end. Zach Ertz’s future is uncertain with the 35-year-old entering free agency while recovering from a torn ACL. Pitts would provide the Commanders with a younger and more explosive replacement.

Isaiah Likely (2025 team: Ravens)

Best fit: Falcons

Likely appeared poised to take the TE1 role from Mark Andrews in Baltimore, but the Ravens re-signed Andrews to a three-year extension in December. Likely and Andrews have been a really good tight end combo for the Ravens, but another club could offer Likely more money and a chance to be the bona fide starter.

If the Falcons don’t re-sign or franchise tag Kyle Pitts, Likely would serve as a solid, and possibly cheaper, replacement.

Likely’s never had more than 42 receptions in a season. It’ll be intriguing to see what he can do as a team’s primary tight end.

NFL free agency: The top 26 players (currently) scheduled to be available in 2026

David Njoku (2025 team: Browns)

Best fit: Panthers

Njoku’s played nine seasons, all in Cleveland. He’s registered 88 career starts in a Browns uniform, but Cleveland looks ready to give Harold Fannin Jr. a larger role.

The Panthers need more firepower on offense. Carolina’s leading tight end, Ja’Tavion Sanders, had just 29 receptions. Njoku would immediately become the Panthers’ starting tight end.

Dallas Goedert (2025 team: Eagles)

Best fit: Jaguars

Goedert took a pay cut to remain with the Eagles last season. A return to the City of Brotherly Love doesn’t seem likely this year.

The Jaguars need more production out of their tight end position. Jags TE Brenton Strange had a career-best 46 catches last year, but Jacksonville’s next leading tight end, Hunter Long, had only 12 catches.

Travis Kelce (2025 team: Chiefs)

Best fit: Chiefs

It’s either retirement or another ride in Kansas City for Kelce, right? The Chiefs’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, Kelce probably is destined to end his career in K.C.

Father Time has taken a toll on the 36-year-old tight end, but he still managed a team-high 76 catches and 851 receiving yards last season.

The Chiefs need Rashee Rice and other players to assume bigger pass-catching roles. However, Kelce can still be a veteran security blanket for Patrick Mahomes. The Mahomes-Kelce connection is still good enough to move the chains.

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Travis Kelce, Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs star, through the years

Dec. 14, 2025: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reacts after catching a pas against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs lost the game, 16-13, and were eliminated from playoff contention, ending a 10-season postseason streak.