Jared Wiley pulled off a ridiculous nine-yard toe-tap catch for the Chiefs that was so good, even the officials almost missed it. Initially ruled an incompletion in their first preseason game, it took a red challenge flag from Head Coach Andy Reid to get that play confirmed, and man, was it worth it. That single reception, even with Wiley on the field for 16 snaps, was a definite highlight in an otherwise quiet game, showing exactly why this guy prides himself on the tough plays.
The Hard Grabs That Prove Everything
That grab wasn’t just some lucky fluke either. Wiley himself laid it out at the podium after Monday’s training camp practice, saying, “Those types of catches are what I’ve prided myself on since I was in college. Making those hard grabs.” He’s a big dude, 6-foot-6, and he knows his quarterback trusts him to put the ball up where nobody else can reach it. Wiley sees himself as “a safety net or safety blanket for my quarterback whenever he is in trouble,” and that nine-yarder was a perfect example of him delivering when it counts.
Battling Back From A Brutal ACL Tear
But listen, this wasn’t an easy road to get that kind of trust back. Remember, Wiley tore his ACL during his rookie season way back in November 2024. That’s a brutal hit for any player, especially a tight end who needs that mobility and quickness. He openly talked about the stiffness and swelling he battled last year, but honestly, the biggest hurdle was the mental game. He admitted, “I felt like I was thinking about a lot before I was going in and out of breaks, before I was doing stuff.” That mental block can be tougher than any physical rehab.
This offseason, though? HUGE difference. Wiley said getting to do OTAs was a massive help, allowing him to “actually work out instead of rehab.” Think about that. He was doing everything: route running, weightlifting, even Pilates! Literally whatever it took to work through those “growing pains again.” He led all FBS tight ends in red-zone touchdowns with five in his final TCU season, so you know the talent is there. This preseason catch is just a taste of that skill finally re-emerging, with the mental and physical hurdles starting to fade. Keep an eye on #12, Chiefs fans. This dude is on a mission.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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