The Kansas City Chiefs did not address the tight end position in the 2026 NFL Draft — but the organization made an intriguing addition immediately after the event concluded.
Among the first undrafted free agents to reportedly sign with the Chiefs was former Wyoming tight end John Michael Gyllenborg. Gyllenborg is a native of Leawood, Kansas, and graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Speaking on the second day of the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp on Saturday, Gyllenborg was upfront
about the fact that he does not have the longest football resume. He actually did not pick up the sport until he was a senior in high school.
That small high school resume began with encouragement from Rockhurst head coach Kelly Donohoe — and ended with a Division I football scholarship offer, despite having played only three high school games.
“I grew up here in KC,” Gyllenborg recalled, “and I played every sport growing up — except football because my grandpa didn’t want me to. I got to Rockhurst, and Coach Donohoe came in my senior year — it was also COVID — he was basically like, ‘Come out and have fun with the boys. You will love it.’”
“I just went out thinking it was for fun and that I was still focused on basketball or baseball,” Gyllenborg continued. “I ended up playing three games and got hurt, but Wyoming stuck around and offered me. That’s how that all kind of happened.”
Then-Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl took a chance on Gyllenborg’s raw athleticism.
“Coach Bohl, who was the coach at the time, was really tight with Donohoe,” explained Gyllenborg. “I think they just liked the upside I provided. I wasn’t very good, but they liked the upside that I provided as a tall, lengthy, fast guy. Donohoe, through his encouragement, was like, ‘You should go do this. You have the upside.’ And here we are today.”
Gyllenborg now finds himself a part of a team he grew up cheering for. He claimed to have attended at least one game in Kansas City in every season under head coach Andy Reid — including the 2021 season’s Wild Card playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He realizes, however, the importance of taking a professional approach to joining his hometown team.
“It’s surreal,” he remarked. “I have to kind of level myself out a little bit — especially out on the field with all the coaches and everything. Wearing the uniform, it’s really cool. But this is football. It’s the most competitive sport ever. So, you can’t let your feelings get to you. You’ve got to remember that we’re still out there playing ball.”
After going undrafted, Gyllenborg was able to choose his destination. Although he wanted to be in Kansas City, he did not make the decision lightly. Taking emotions out, he saw the Chiefs as making the most sense overall from a football and personnel standpoint.
According to the contract website Spotrac, Gyllenborg received $267,500 in guaranteed money on his undrafted contract — implying the Chiefs see him as much more than a fun local story.
“We had to make a decision quick after the draft,” Gyllenborg revealed. “At that point, knowing that the Chiefs were on the table, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to the Chiefs.‘ I also had to separate my bias at that point and understand that I had to do what’s best for me.
“Even while separating that, the Chiefs were always the best option for me,” Gyllenborg admitted. “Their offense loves tight ends, and they wanted me really bad. Obviously, I wanted to be here. It was pretty much a no-brainer for me.”
Still, Gyllenborg admits he has received “countless texts” since joining the Chiefs and knows how special this opportunity is.
“It’s a lot of fun how excited my family and friends are,” he said. “Again, this is a job. It’s a business. I understand that. I’m coming in locked in, but it is really exciting how excited everyone in my life and a lot of friends and family are.”
