Free agent tight ends who could interest the Chiefs

Tyler Eifert

This is the “pipe dream” for Chiefs fans. If we’re not allowed to consider the likes of Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, then at least we can spend a minute on Eifert, the long-time Cincinnati Bengals player who has never been able to stay healthy enough to put it all together.

Eifert was, at one time, a first-round talent expected to become the next great weapon next to A.J. Green for the Bengals offense. Unfortunately, Eifert has missed numerous games in his career and has had three of his seven seasons end early due to an appearance on Injured Reserve.

However, last season, Eifert was able to stay healthy for a full 16-game season for the Bengals. It’s not as if he turned the sort of season envisioned by fans when selected at No. 21 out of Notre Dame, but it was nice to see Eifert being able to show off his skills on a regular basis and enjoy the game he clearly strives to play despite the physical demands.

At this point, the Bengals are starting to let the pieces go, and Eifert is once again a free agent. Green could be gone. Dalton could also be traded. Cordy Glenn is being shopped. Thus we might get to see Eifert outside of Southern Ohio for the first time in his career.

Here’s the thing: Eifert’s incredible hands earned him a Pro Bowl appearance in 2015 and, if he can stay healthy, he’s worth starter money on the open market to some team that could use major TE help (e.g. Washington Redskins). Given the weaker draft class void of high-end talent, Eifert is going to make some money if that’s his goal (and no one would fault him).

However, what if Eifert is tired of losing? The Bengals were at their worst last season, but it’s not as if it’s been a thrilling place for Eifert to play over the years. There was a stretch where the team made the playoffs his first three years in the league, but Marvin Lewis could never make it past the Wild Card round.

Is it not possible that Eifert might be willing to take a couple million less in exchange for the chance to play for Andy Reid? Eifert in this role as TE2 would create a whole new array of plays for Reid and Eric Bieniemy to consider with his incredible hands. Eifert’s also proved to be a tremendous red zone target with 13 touchdowns in 2015.

Then again, here we are already dreaming bigger than we should.