Chiefs strike deal with Tight End Smith Jr. to kick off free agency

Fifth-year tight end Irv Smith Jr. agrees to a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs

After sitting out the first day of the legal tampering period of free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly made their first signing from outside of the organization. According to Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are signing five-year veteran tight end, Irv Smith Jr to a one-year deal. 

Smith Jr., still only 25, is a former highly touted, athletic prospect out of Alabama who the Minnesota Vikings drafted with the 50th overall pick back in 2019. After spending four seasons with the Vikings, Smith Jr. spend the 2023 season with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

It was another disappointing year for Smith Jr., who was again riddled with injuries. In his five seasons, he has only played in 49 regular-season games, including a year in 2021 where he did not play a single game. With the Bengals last season, he finished with 115 yards on 18 catches in the 12 games he suited up for. 

2020 was his most productive season in which he started seven games for the Vikings, tallying 30 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns. When he was injured in the preseason of 2021, he was in line to take the next step in his career that year but has instead been limited to 20 games played since then. 

The good news for the Chiefs is, they have Travis Kelce. Unlike the Bengals, they are not signing him to be the starter, or even to be tight end number two. He will likely be tasked with taking over for the Blake Bell role, who is slated to be a free agent. 

Chiefs tight end Noah Gray was fourth on the team in catches with 28, while Bell finished with five. Gray and Kelce combined for 1,289 yards, so anything Smith Jr. adds to the room will be gravy. The fit is particularly good for Kansas City, who plays with more two and three-tight-end sets than most. He is also touted generally as a good run-blocker. 

Perhaps Kansas City is thinking they will see what they have in Smith Jr. since they have to decide what to do with Gray with 2024 being a contract season. It is also going to be more and more prudent to keep Kelce fresh throughout the season, and this signing would support that notion. 

Smith Jr. is the son of Irv Smith Sr., who was a 1993  first-round tight end out of Notre Dame drafted by the New Orleans Saints. In 2018 at Alabama, Smith Jr. racked up 710 yards and seven touchdowns. It is that potential that the Chiefs hope the young veteran can tap into sitting behind the legendary Kelce.