Chiefs set to take offensive piece away from AFC rival
The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t made big moves to get wide receivers, but the team has just added another pass-catching option for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are expected to sign tight end Irv Smith Jr. to a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter. Even though it's a one-year deal, the details […]
The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t made big moves to get wide receivers, but the team has just added another pass-catching option for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are expected to sign tight end Irv Smith Jr. to a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Even though it's a one-year deal, the details of the contract have not been disclosed yet.
Irv Smith was a second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019 and spent his first four seasons in the NFL for the team. Last offseason, he signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
"He's a good weapon for us based on what he's done so far," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said last year. "We liked him coming out of the draft and the years he spent in Minnesota, I think he fits what we're looking for."
However, his season with the Chiefs' new rivals went poorly. He played 12 games, with just 18 receptions for 115 yards — his worst statistical season in the league. Smith's best year was 2020, when he had 30 receptions for 365 yards and five touchdowns for the Vikings.
Depth chart
The Kansas City Chiefs already have an impressive tight end group. Besides future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce, Noah Gray has had a solid role within the offense. The room also has Gerrit Prince and Izaiah Gathings.
Potentially, the Irv Smith signing means Blake Bell won't be back. Bell has been with the Chiefs since 2021 after an earlier stint in 2019, but now he's slated to hit unrestricted free agency.
Additionally, Jody Fortson is a restricted free agent, but the Chiefs are not expected to tender him — which means he will also be unrestricted.
Stats
Irv Smith had a suboptimal season with the Bengals. He produced 0.51 yards per route run, which is last among 44 qualifying tight ends. His average depth of target was 4.9, the worst of his career.
Smith finished the season with a 44.2 PFF offensive grade, the worst of his NFL career as well, including a 42.8 receiving grade and 23.6 fumble grade.
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