Again a close end, it could finally be Jody Fortson’s time with the Chiefs

It’s easy to forget that when Jody Fortson first signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 – following a rookie minicamp try, nothing less – he was already a tight end. This was the post he held at Valdosta State University after transferring from Erie Community College.

So while we media types have spent a lot of time over the last few weeks noting how Fortson gained weight so that he could go to the tight end during the offseason, it’s really not like if he didn’t know the job. The Chiefs had simply put him with the wide receivers in 2020 shortened training camp after failing to make the final roster as a tight end in 2019.

In fact, speaking to reporters on Wednesday – becoming the last Chiefs player to be introduced to the media ahead of Friday’s final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night – Fortson acted as if putting on weight didn’t not really been that big of a deal.

“I haven’t thought about it too much,” he says. “I love football. I love the game. So if that meant I had to pick up some volume and play left tackle, I was going to do it – because this game brings me joy. just attacked like I attack everything else: brace yourself and do it, whether it’s eating a few more sandwiches, another protein shake – maybe a little junk food here and there, just to keep my weight up – I do whatever it takes.

Fortson has already been a crush on Chiefs fans at training camp, so no one will find fault if you’re not convinced he’ll be on the final roster next week. But if he does, the story will have started when he sat down with special teams coach Dave Toub.

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“Me and Coach Toub, we had a discussion at the start of OTAs about what I should do,” he recalls, “and what kind of mindset I should have.”

Tuesday, Toub had already told his version of the facts.

“He came to my office during the offseason,” Toub said. “I just exposed it for him.”

And as he gained the extra weight, Fortson considered what Toub had said.

“I meditated on that all through the offseason in terms of what I needed to do to support guys, get my hands on people and be thicker,” he said. “So I just followed the advice he gave me.”

So far, it seems to have paid off. Toub has now identified Fortson as one of the players who has done the most to improve his value for the Chiefs.

“That’s why I’m so excited about him – because he did it,” Toub said with more than a little hint of pride. “He put himself in a position to be successful.”

If he were to make the roster next week, much of the reason could be two different blocks he made to revive running back Derrick Gore for big wins in the preseason game of Friday night with the Arizona Cardinals.

“I would say I did my job,” Fortson said of those games, showing an attitude that probably earns him more support among Chiefs coaches. “I was able to show that I could defend myself against the linebackers, stay on track, finish my block and open my running back. So I feel like I showed a balanced game.

And the team’s superstar tight end has been instrumental in Fortson’s training.

“I watch the highlights of Travis Kelce before the game; his locker is right next to mine, Fortson smiles. “Being able to have him in the room – with not only myself but young tight end Noah Gray – is a big deal for us. We have one of the best in the game to learn every day. We can pick up the phone and call. He’s here to give us the answers and the keys – just help us navigate this game. Kelce has been a big influence on my game. [while] transition to the narrow room, that’s for sure.

Fortson said Kelce had already given him one piece of advice that was left with him.

“I remember our first preseason game this year, Kelce said to me, ‘Don’t let the moment be bigger than you. You are bigger than the moment. ‘ It resonates with me: just to go out and have fun; play the game. I’ve been doing this for a long time. It might be for a new position and in front of a lot more eyes, but nothing has changed in the game. It’s all the same. So go ahead and don’t overdo it – just do what I know I’m capable of.