Quiet early in free agency, the Chiefs will add a piece to their offense. The two-time reigning Super Bowl champions are bringing in former Vikings and Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr., ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.
A second-generation NFL tight end, Smith has been unable to find consistency as a pro. Multiple teams have given the former Alabama pass catcher opportunities, however, and Chiefs pickups have resulted in a host of recent free agents collecting Super Bowl rings. Smith will join a Kansas City threepeat push, doing so on a one-year deal worth $1.29MM, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Only $384K of this deal is guaranteed.
Despite being a five-year veteran, Smith is only 25. A 2019 second-round pick, Smith has been unable to establish himself as a trusted receiving option. The Bengals’ flier on Smith produced only 18 receptions for 115 yards. Smith has not topped 300 yards in a season since 2020, when he notched a career-high 365 alongside Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota.
Injuries dogged Smith in Minnesota. He missed all of the 2021 campaign due to a knee injury and did not contribute much to the Vikings’ 2022 NFC North title, sustaining a high ankle sprain — an injury that played a role in Minnesota trading for T.J. Hockenson at the ’22 deadline. With the Bengals moving to Mike Gesicki, the Chiefs will gauge Smith’s form alongside one of the best to ever do it.
As Travis Kelce goes into his age-35 season — a 12th NFL slate for the superstar talent — the Chiefs still have his top wingman (Noah Gray) rostered. Blake Bell, however, played out a one-year contract last season.
Well, if someone were going to figure out how best to use him, it’d be Andy Reid. Smith has the tools, so if he can deliver on that potential with one of the best offensive coaches of all time, that would be a boon for Chiefs fans. If not, well, they didn’t lose much.
Not to mention he is likely functioning as a third string TE who will be more involved in the run game than actually as a receiver. Kelce and Gray will still see the lion’s share of time.
I agree, except that Smith hasn’t been a good blocker. Well, at least as a traditional blocker on the LoS. He’s pretty athletic, so he probably blocks better on the move (e.g., on the second level in space). Of course, Kelce is not a GREAT blocker on his part, and Gray is often used as a receiver, so I think that there’s plenty to go around in terms of TE receiving routes. Who knows, maybe Smith’s improved enough there to be more useful in the run game. I do agree with you in where he’ll sit on the depth chart. If you’re K.C., Smith’s an athletic talent at that spot that you got cheaply. It’s worth a look, especially as Kelce gets older.
Smith’s a bit small for a TE, but he moves well, so I think Reid will use him in a lot of different spots compared to the traditional TE. Maybe he’ll come out of the backfield, or line up wide in limited packages. We’ll see if he can produce, as you said, as the third TE, which I would also consider him as. If Andy Reid can’t use you, chances are nobody can.
Dude doesn’t produce. How are you tight end number 1 with Burrow as QB and only get 115 yards
About time they get a good TE. lol