Irv Smith Jr. joined the Chiefs for winning culture, Andy Reid's genius, and Travis Kelce's tutelage
The Kansas City Chiefs introduced new tight end Irv Smith Jr. on Thursday, and he's already saying all of the right things about his decision to join the team. The former second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings out of the University of Alabama officially signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million with Kansas City on Thursday. […]
The Kansas City Chiefs introduced new tight end Irv Smith Jr. on Thursday, and he's already saying all of the right things about his decision to join the team.
The former second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings out of the University of Alabama officially signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million with Kansas City on Thursday. The 25-year-old was inspired to make his free agency decision by looking at the level of success the team has collectively built over the last several seasons in the NFL.
"Ultimately, looking at different teams, the success that Kansas City has had," Smith Jr. said. "(Patrick) Mahomes, (Travis) Kelce, and Coach (Andy) Reid, just the culture that they've built here is a winning culture and it's something that — I've been around winner my whole life. I just feel like it's the best opportunity, the best fit and somewhere I can succeed and showcase my abilities."
What exactly do Smith's abilities entail? Well, it starts with bringing some youthful exuberance to the room — something that he describes as juice.
"I see myself bringing some youth to the room, some juice," Smith said. "I see myself being an impact in the run game, in the pass game, anyway I can help the team. For me, I feel like I'm a versatile player and I can make a lot of plays on both sides of the field with Travis (Kelce) and Noah Gray using 13 personnel, and 12 personnel. You know, figuring out each other and how we mesh well with each other. At the end of the day, we're going to be getting each other open. I'm an unselfish guy and I've been a part of a lot of heavy, 12-personnel (and 13-personnel) teams. I feel like that's where I strive best in."
Other things that enticed Smith in his free agency decision include Andy Reid's history of using the tight end position in Kansas City and the opportunity to learn from Travis Kelce.
"Kansas City, the history they have of using the tight end, running a lot of 12 personnel and 13 personnel," Smith said. "Using multiple tight end sets. Being able to get behind a guy like Travis Kelce and learn from him and pick his brain with anything. And you know, just win football games. That's my favorite thing to do, is to be a part of a winning team and help teams win."
We may have been on the right track in suggesting Smith's addition could signal an offensive shift in Kansas City for the future. Also, find me a tight end in the NFL who doesn't want an opportunity to learn from Travis Kelce.
As Smith embarks on this new endeavor, the idea of having the roaring and raucous crowd at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on his side is something that he looks forward to. He experienced the full effect of being an opponent at Arrowhead during his rookie campaign with the Vikings.
"Playing in (Arrowhead Stadium) on the opposite side, it's not fun," Smith said. "Now, I'm on the other side of things. . . Having the opportunity to see the fans, to see Chiefs Kingdom — you know they bring everybody out to the game — (they) bring the juice, bring the energy. I'm excited to be a part of it."
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