The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back a fan-favorite player.
As first reported by KC Star reporter Herbie Teope, the Chiefs are tendering a qualifying offer to exclusive rights free agent TE Jody Fortson. That means, he’ll receive a one-year minimum contract with Kansas City in 2022.
This has been in the works for a few days and comes together ahead of the official start of free agency. If the Chiefs hadn’t tendered Fortson, he would have been eligible to become an unrestricted free agent when free agency officially began on Wednesday.
Fortson (6-6 and 240 pounds) was a standout during training camp and the preseason in 2021 after spending the previous season on the practice squad in Kansas City. He made the 53-man roster outright for the first time in his career and made the most of his opportunity. He had five receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns in six games last season and was carving out a bigger role on offense before he suffered a ruptured Achilles in Week 6.
That injury ended his season, but this new contract ensures that Fortson will at least have a chance to pick up where he started. It also tells you that the team feels confident in his recovery from that season-ending Achilles injury to bring him back right away.
The Chiefs now have eight tight ends on the 90-man offseason roster. It’s safe to say that there will be some significant competition at that position heading into the new year.
[listicle id=125459]