He’s back. Again.
If you follow the Kansas City Chiefs with any level of intensity, the name Jody Fortson carries a specific kind of weight. It’s not the weight of a superstar like Travis Kelce, but rather the emotional gravity of a player who has spent more time in a rehabilitation pool than in the end zone, yet remains one of the most beloved figures in the locker room. Honestly, it’s a miracle the guy is still lacing up cleats given the medical history he’s lugged around since 2019.
The news that the Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed tight end Jody Fortson isn't just another transaction on a Tuesday morning. It is a testament to the "never say die" culture of a franchise that values familiarity and red-zone length over the shiny uncertainty of the waiver wire. You've got to wonder how many lives this guy has left in a Chiefs uniform.
Most people see a 6-foot-4, 230-pound body and think "depth piece." But for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, Fortson is something different. He's a specialized tool. A vertical mismatch.
Basically, he's the guy they call when the field shrinks and the defense is double-teaming Kelce into oblivion.
Why the Chiefs Always Come Back to Fortson
It’s about the trust. You can’t buy the kind of chemistry Mahomes has with a guy who has been in the system for six years.
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Look at the tight end room right now. You have the GOAT in Kelce, a reliable veteran in Noah Gray, and the promising but still-developing Jared Wiley. Adding Robert Tonyan earlier in the cycle provided a safety net, but Fortson? Fortson provides a specific kind of "Jody Magic" that the coaching staff clearly can't quit.
He didn't start as a tight end. Back at Valdosta State, he was a wide receiver. That transition—the grueling move from a perimeter burner to a hand-in-the-dirt blocker—is what earned him the respect of the "big boys" on the offensive line.
The Medical Rollercoaster
To understand why this signing matters, you have to look at the scars.
- 2021: A torn Achilles ends a breakout year.
- 2022: An elbow subluxation stops him in his tracks.
- 2023: Shoulder surgery wipes out the entire season.
- 2024: A torn ACL and meniscus while trying to recover an onside kick.
That last one was brutal. It happened against the Raiders, right as he was finally getting back into the rhythm of the offense after a weird, short-lived stint with the Miami Dolphins.
Most players would have hung it up. Especially an undrafted guy who has already secured three Super Bowl rings. But late in 2025, reports surfaced that he was "fully cleared." He didn't just want to play; he wanted to play here.
What the Chiefs Get in 2026
When the Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed tight end Jody Fortson, they aren't looking for a guy to play 50 snaps a game. That’s Gray’s job. They want a red-zone assassin.
Statistically, Fortson’s numbers look modest. 15 career receptions. 160 yards. But wait—look at the touchdowns. Four of those 15 catches went for six points. That is an absurd efficiency rating. It means when he’s on the field, the defense has to account for a guy who knows exactly how to use his frame to shield off a linebacker in the back of the end zone.
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It’s sorta like having a specialized pinch hitter in baseball. He might only get one at-bat, but you know he’s swinging for the fences.
The "Kelce Effect"
Travis Kelce has gone on record calling Fortson one of his favorite teammates ever. That isn't just veteran lip service. Kelce has mentored Jody since the day he arrived as an undrafted free agent.
There is a strategic advantage here, too. With Mahomes entering another season where the offensive line needs to be perfect, having a tight end who knows the protection schemes like the back of his hand is vital. You can't just plug in a rookie and expect them to pick up a blitz from a disguised "Stunt" look by a Steve Spagnuolo-style defense.
Fortson knows where the holes are. He knows when to chip the defensive end and when to leak out into the flat.
The Reality of the Depth Chart
Let's be real for a second. This isn't a guaranteed roster spot for the duration of the season.
The Chiefs' depth chart is crowded. Between Noah Gray’s contract extension and the high hopes for Jared Wiley, Fortson is fighting for oxygen. But there’s a reason he keeps getting these calls. The Chiefs know that injuries happen. In 2025, we saw the roster get decimated by soft tissue issues.
Having a "plug-and-play" veteran who doesn't need to look at a playbook is a luxury most teams don't have.
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Is he a risk? Absolutely. His legs have been through the ringer. But on a league-minimum style deal with low guaranteed money, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move for Brett Veach. If he stays healthy, he’s a touchdown machine. If he doesn't, they’ve already gotten their money’s worth in terms of leadership and training camp competition.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Team (and the Season)
Don't go drafting him in the fifth round. Seriously.
But if you’re in a deep league or a dynasty format, Fortson is the ultimate "Best Ball" play. He’s the guy who will have three weeks where he catches one pass for a two-yard touchdown. In the Chiefs' offense, that’s a valuable commodity.
For the team, this signing signals a "completion" of the offensive identity. They want big bodies. They want versatile blockers. And they want guys who love being in Kansas City.
The next step is seeing how he moves in OTAs. Keep an eye on the beat reporters—if he's jumping and cutting without a brace, the league should be worried. The Chiefs are building a wall of pass-catchers, and Jody Fortson just reclaimed his brick.
If you're following the roster battle, watch how many snaps he takes with the second-string unit during the preseason. That will tell you everything you need to know about his standing with Andy Reid. For now, the "Fortson Era" in KC continues, defying every medical logic and roster projection out there.
Check the injury reports weekly. If Jody's name isn't on there, expect a jump-ball touchdown in the corner of the end zone sooner rather than later.