Former KC Chiefs tight end Ricky Seals-Jones signs with Washington Football Team

Last offseason, Ricky Seals-Jones signed a one-year contract hoping to parlay it into some serious offensive production that could reap future rewards. Now he’s likely thankful to have a place to land with the Washington Football Team. ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reports that Seals-Jones has landed a chance to make Washington’s loaded tight end room after signing on Tuesday.

Despite being perfectly healthy and available for the Chiefs last season, Seals-Jones appeared in only two games for the Chiefs and received a single target with only 11 total snaps played in a regular season game. Five of those were on special teams. It was a massive letdown for all parties involved as the Chiefs decided to go with Nick Keizer and Deon Yelder ahead of Seals-Jones on the depth chart, a surprising turn given that many fans and analysts believed the team might utilize Seals-Jones’ proven hands to much greater effect on offense.

In the past, Seals-Jones, who is still only 26, has been able to generate decent production, especially early in his career with the Arizona Cardinals. His best season came in 2018 when he had 34 catches for 343 yards and 1 touchdown in his second and final year in Arizona. He has 60 career catches and 8 touchdowns in four seasons, although last year was a lost cause entirely.

The Chiefs allowed Seals-Jones to walk in free agency this offseason, to no one’s surprise, and Deon Yelder was also allowed to leave. What will be interesting is that both players are now with Washington, so the competition will at least feel somewhat familiar to Seals-Jones as he settles in with his new team. The Chiefs kept Keizer around this offseason, but they also drafted Noah Gray in the fifth round after trading up for the Duke product.