Fan-favorite tight end Jody Fortson is back with the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year tender.
NFL Network’s James Palmer reported that the team has officially tendered Fortson. He was one of three players who were slated to be an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) in Kansas City this year. The team is required to extend a qualifying offer before free agency otherwise Fortson would become an unrestricted free agent at the opening of the upcoming free agency period. Based on his years accrued this tender amount should come in at just under $1 million for Fortson in 2023.
The #chiefs have tendered TE Jody Fortson as an ERFA per source.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 14, 2023
An undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State University, the 6-6 and 240-pound tight end is coming off a 2022 NFL season where he had nine receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns after appearing in 13 games and starting in one. Fortson dislocated his elbow in Week 15 and spent some time on injured reserve before he was activated for the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LVII.
This reinforces the tight end position even more for the Chiefs in 2023 with Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Kendall Blanton and Matt Bushman currently under contract as well.
Kansas City still has two ERFA’s left to handle with QB Shane Buechele and OT Prince Tega Wanogho. Expect those to come ahead of the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline on Wednesday.
