Veteran TE released by the Kansas City Chiefs despite having an impressive training camp
According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs have released veteran tight end Irv Smith Jr. When the Chiefs signed Smith Jr. back in March, it seemed like he would be a relatively safe bet to make the team. He had the most experience, receptions and touchdowns out of all Chiefs […]
According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs have released veteran tight end Irv Smith Jr.
When the Chiefs signed Smith Jr. back in March, it seemed like he would be a relatively safe bet to make the team. He had the most experience, receptions and touchdowns out of all Chiefs tight ends next to Travis Kelce and is still just 26 years old. Injuries have plagued Smith Jr.'s four-year career, but he joined Kansas City with a clean bill of health.
Unfortunately for Smith Jr., the Chiefs drafted tight end Jared Wiley in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Wiley made an immediate positive impression on the Chiefs' coaching staff during offseason OTAs, and he carried that momentum into a good training camp.
That's not to say that Smith Jr. didn't have a good camp in his own right. In fact, he was very impressive throughout camp and the preseason. Not only did he catch everything in sight, particularly in the redzone, but he showed some versatility by playing some fullback.
Once again, however, Smith Jr. ran into some bad luck thanks to a rookie. Running back Carson Steele began to raise some eyebrows toward the end of training camp and went on to have a huge preseason showing. Steele's ability to be a halfback/fullback hybrid was just too good for the Chiefs to pass on.
A spot on the practice squad is unlikely for Smith Jr. as he has definitely shown enough to warrant being on somebody's active roster. If not for the unexpected emergence of two rookies, Smith Jr. not only would have made K.C.'s roster, but he could have been an underrated contributor in 2024.
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