Irv Smith Jr., a former star tight end for Alabama, has signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Bengals free-agent tight end Irv Smith Jr. reached an agreement of a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, per source,” writes Schefter. Smith’s rookie and sophomore seasons combined for 66 receptions for 676 yards and seven touchdowns, indicating some promise in his first two years in the league with the Minnesota Vikings. However, since then, Smith has found it difficult to stay on the field. A week before the 2021 season began, the 50th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft sustained a torn meniscus, which prevented him from playing. He missed the whole 2022 regular season after sustaining a grade three high ankle sprain in Week 8. On March 26, 2023, the Cincinnati Bengals, who were the Super Bowl runner-up at the time, offered him a one-year contract after the Vikings declined to resign him. Still, he only saw action on 44% of snaps in 12 games during the previous campaign. He might regain the confidence he felt at Alabama, where he finished 2018 with 44 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns, with another new start with the defending back-to-back Super Bowl champions. However, he won’t start because nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce will not be substituted in that role. Nevertheless, considering that Kelce is only 25 years old, Smith has a lot of opportunity to learn from and progress under him. Smith joins defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs as the second Crimson Tide product on the Chiefs.
