The final day of roster decisions before teams around the league is stressful and emotional. It’s a day that hasn’t been too kind to Kansas City Chiefs TE Jody Fortson in the past.
With a smile, Fortson had a reason to walk away from today happy as he finally earned a roster spot with the Chiefs this season. Only a season ago, Fortson played well during training camp but failed to make the final cut as a wide receiver. The position switch to tight end hasn’t been easy, but it readjusted his mindset and helped him make the 53-man roster, as he explained during Tuesday’s press conference.
“God is good, man. I know,” said Fortson trying to hide a proud smile. “I put a lot of time into this and it was a lot of days that I thought that this wouldn’t come, but I just stayed true to it and I just kept working. And here we are. I just know, I know, there’s so much more work to do. But I was told to take my small victories as well and cherish them. So it’s just it’s been a long road, though. A long road.”
At 6-foot-6 and over 230 pounds, Fortson has excelled at the tight end position faster than most players that have played the position years longer. The problem’s that he’s already presented for opposing defenses in the preseason gave Kansas City another weapon in their arsenal. Fortson, however, is open to wearing many different hats while on the field to help the team.
“Um, I think I could play both positions, several of them,” said Fortson. “I don’t think I’m better suited at either one. But I do know that me being in a box closer to those linebackers and the safeties creates a bigger mismatch. That’s what I do know. I feel like, if they need me to play long snapper, I can go out there and do it. Like I feel like wherever they need me to play is where I’m gonna be at. I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do. So, yes, I could step outside and go play x or play z. Step in the slot. I feel like you could put me anywhere.”
Playing multiple positions is not an easy skill to find in the NFL but is valuable for coaching playbooks. Regarding drawing up unique sets, there aren’t many better than Chiefs head coach Andy Reid who shared his thoughts on Fortson making the team.
“He busts his tail,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Tuesday. “He’s earned the right to make that cut. It’s been his attitude all the way through, just a positive attitude and fighting for a spot. That’s been the one common denominator that got him to this point — a matter of becoming more consistent, growing in the size part of it. Remember, he was a college quarterback, then a receiver, then a tight end. So, he’s gone through a gambit of positions there.”
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