The most intriguing development of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2021 training camp was the emergence of Jody Fortson at tight end. A fan favorite, now in his third year with the team, Fortson converted to his position behind Travis Kelce and Blake Bell after playing receiver in college.
“He’s a hard worker and he wants to do good, so you work with that,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said of Fortson. “He started off as a wide receiver and played tight end, then went back to wide receiver and back to tight end now, so he’s worked extremely hard there.”
Kansas City is in a tough position heading into their last preseason game. After signing Bell in the offseason and drafting rookie Noah Gray in April, they would otherwise be unlikely to roster four tight ends, if not for Fortson’s advent in camp. With just about a week left before the team has to make their final cut from 80 to 53 players on their final roster, Fortson is doing everything he can to secure a spot on the depth chart.
After Wednesday’s practice, he was the only player the Chiefs sent to talk to the media. Perhaps they’re wise to the hype building behind the 25-year-old prospect. Maybe it was a move calculated off Dave Toub’s comments earlier in the week, but his solo appearance at the podium felt like a portent of things to come. Fortson told reporters that special teams have been a big part of his development as a player. From the beginning, his contributions in that phase of the game were part of his plan to make the final cut.
“It was pretty much my entire mindset,” he said of making the 53 man roster on special teams, “I knew I had to go in there and be dominant. Me and Coach (Dave) Toub had a decision early in OTAs about what I needed to do and what kind of mindset I needed to have. I meditated on that all offseason as far as what I needed to do as far as holding guys up, putting hands-on people and being thicker. So, I just took the advice he gave me, and I’m continuing to build on that.”
He would be wise to heed any wisdom Toub has for him at this point in his career, as the seasoned special teams coach has major influence on roster decisions for years in Kansas City. Andy Reid is famously fixated on winning in all phases of the game, punts and kicks being no exception. Given the stacked nature of the Chiefs’ tight end position, being the team’s most valuable special teamer could be what makes or breaks his hopes of suiting up for games this season.
It’s not just in his role as a special teamer that Fortson has shown improvement, though. His run blocking was the primary focus last week against Arizona, one that Coach Reid intended to get a good look at.
“I like what I’ve seen,” Reid said of Fortson’s blocking ability. “The improvement he’s made over the last couple years is quite large and he’s done a nice job with it. I liked what he did with the blocking and everything, yes. He did a good job there.”
Fortson even put on some weight to make the switch to tight end in the offseason, 20 pounds to be exact. He told the media he was comfortable in his new form headed into cuts.
“I didn’t really think too much of it,” Fortson said of putting on a few pounds. “I love football, I love the game so whether that means I have to bulk up and play left tackle, I was going to do it because this game brings me joy. I just attacked it like I attack everything else with a winning mindset and just get it done. Whether that be eat a couple more sandwiches or another protein shake or add a little bit of junk food here and there to keep my weight up, I’m doing whatever it takes.”
At this point, Fortson he could stand to find himself at Gates BBQ a bit more often, but he’s definitely got the height the Chiefs want in their second tight-end spot. He’s about a combo double-decker and a half (ham, turkey, heavy on the sauce, please) away from looking like a slim tight end, but a solid game blocking against the Cardinals is proof that the tools are there.
Asked how he would grade his performance last week, Fortson made a point to talk about getting his running backs some space.
“I would say I did my job,” he said. “I was able to show that I could hold my own against defensive ends and linebackers and stay on track and finish my block most importantly and get my running back open. I feel like I showed a balanced game.”
He was the blocker that broke Derrick Gore free for a would-be touchdown on the game’s last drive. Fortson said the play was something of a little victory for the Chiefs, even if it looked funny on TV.
“It wasn’t more gratifying to me as it is to the rest of the team,” he said of the big run. “We got a large gain with Gore breaking a long one. I know he wished he would’ve stayed in bounds and taken a knee or scored or whatever. It was great to see him get in the open field and do what he’s capable of.”
Between all the deflection of praise to his teammates and the generally calm demeanor he kept in his time speaking to the media, Fortson looked far more like a seasoned veteran than a player potentially on the bubble. He told reporters that the support he has felt from fans, despite his minimal contributions before this preseason, has driven him forward through the ebbs and flows of his young career.
“I think this city, this town just admires how I work, and I think I fit the description of a hard worker, a grinder, somebody that’s just going to see it through,” he said. “I’ve done a little bit of community work over at Children’s Mercy Hospital, my rookie year (in) 2019, every Thursday, going to play bingo with the kids, so maybe that has something to do with it, that people just like the genuine soul that I have.
“But the fans, man, like I’ve said back in training camp in St. Joe, it was awesome to see them out there, to see, when its hot, and we’re all tired and sore and the fans are out there screaming ‘you can do it, you can do it’ and cheering, it not only motivates me but the entire team and we feed off that. So the fans, I’m truly grateful for them, especially how they’ve been riding for me, and I haven’t done anything. The fact that they trust and believe in me is second to none.”
Hopeful as ever for his chances to make the Chiefs’ final roster, Fortson has proved through the course of this preseason that he belongs. Kansas City’s offensive juggernaut could find its newest star in the third-year tight end this season, and if he makes good on the promise and inertia working in his favor, Fortson could be a Chief for years to come.
[listicle id=97149]