Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their worst season since the 6-foot-2 quarterback took over as starter in 2018. Since that 50-touchdown MVP season by Mahomes, Kansas City has made at least the AFC Championship Game each season.
Mahomes has been to five Super Bowls, winning three of them (2020, 2023, 2024). Last season was tough for the three-time All-Pro when he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in a Week 15 loss (16-13) to the Los Angeles Chargers. Expectations are high for Andy Reid in his 14th season as head coach in Kansas City, as Mahomes is expected to return for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
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Joining Mahomes and Reid is 14-year veteran tight end Travis Kelce. Joining the soon-to-be husband of singer Taylor Swift in the tight end room on the Chiefs next season is Furman Paladins product Mason Pline. Pline originally excelled in hoops at Fowler High School, with the Michigan native earning all-state honors in basketball.
He played college basketball at Ferris State University for three seasons before deciding to pursue football. The 6-foot-7 tight end converted to football full-time in 2021, winning Division II national championships in 2021 and 2022 with the Ferris State Bulldogs. Pline signed with the San Francisco 49ers after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Fowler High School graduate spent the season on the 49ers' practice squad.
The New Orleans Saints claimed Pline off waivers in August 2025, but has yet to appear in an NFL game in his professional career. Reid is known for his utilization of multiple tight ends, and Pline will hope to get the first catch of his career with the Chiefs this season. Pline will join Kelce, Noah Gray and Jared Wiley at the position for Kansas City.
"The Chiefs are signing 6-foot-7 tight end Mason Pline," the Chiefs said. "After a successful tryout at minicamp earlier this week, he is joining the roster. He has previous stints with the 49ers and Saints."
Kansas City will host the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET, with coverage on ESPN's "Monday Night Football."
