Dec 2, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; A Kansas City Chiefs helmet on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 27-21. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed restricted free agent tight end Richard Gordon, according to Brian McIntyre. The one-year deal is worth $645,000. Twitter proof of the transaction is below.
Chiefs TE Richard Gordon signed a 1-yr, $645k extension this week. Gordon was scheduled to be a restricted free agent this offseason.
— Brian McIntyre (@brian_mcintyre) February 14, 2014
Gordon makes four tight ends the Chiefs have under contract between Gordon, Anthony Fasano, Travis Kelce, and Sean McGrath. It would seem the early battle for the third tight end spot on the roster would be between Gordon and McGrath. Considering McGrath is $150,000 cheaper and was more productive than Gordon, the early odds would favor McGrath winning that battle.
Kansas City’s tight ends were demolished by injuries in 2014. Entering week four of the preseason, Kansas City seemed on track to have Fasano, Kelce, and Tony Moeaki be their tight ends. But a span of a few weeks, all three of them were injured an unable to play, forcing the Chiefs to overhaul their tight end depth chart mid-season. Fasano, Kelce, and Moeaki combined to play in 10 games, with Fasano accounting for all production from the group: 23 catches, 200 yards, and three touchdowns.
Getting healthy will naturally help the tight end position, and having McGrath as the third-string tight end seems more workable after watching him play. Gordon seems to be an insurance policy until the Chiefs no longer need him.
Gordon appeared in two games last season, catching one pass for three yards.