It's sink or swim time for KC Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson

Tight end Jody Fortson stands out as one of the most intriguing players on the Kansas City Chiefs roster. Despite being considered a breakout candidate in recent years, he has yet to exceed 110 receiving yards in a single season.

Undoubtedly, Fortson possesses immense potential. However, as he enters his fifth season in the NFL, it's concerning that his career-high in receiving yards is just 108. Last year, he dressed for 15 games but managed only nine catches and 108 yards, along with two touchdowns on 14 targets. It's important to note that his 2021 campaign was cut short due to an injury, and he also missed several games for the same reason. A major injury at this stage of his career could hinder his growth as a football player.

Even when he has been healthy, such as in 2022, Fortson has struggled to establish a consistent role for himself. While he will never surpass the exceptional Travis Kelce, it seems the Chiefs have prioritized Noah Gray, with Gray averaging 35.7 offensive snaps per game in 2022 compared to Fortson's 14.1. In terms of the passing game, Fortson averaged just 0.933 targets per game, while Gray saw nearly double that at 1.85 per game.

Will Jody Fortson finally breakout in 2023 for the KC Chiefs?

Although Fortson spent time on injured reserve last season, he did make a return in time for Super Bowl LVII. This offseason should be the first in two years where he can fully focus on his development without any health concerns, which could significantly benefit him.

Early in 2022, Fortson did manage to secure a couple of touchdown passes deep in the red zone. It was believed, and still is, that he could be a reliable red zone threat for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. However, we did not see much of that after his Week 4 touchdown against Tampa Bay.

Jody Fortson has been in the NFL since the 2019 season, and at some point, he must evolve beyond being just a decent blocking tight end with occasional receiving capabilities. While he could still have a successful career as a depth tight end, considering his perceived high ceiling, he needs to make a breakthrough. If he fails to secure a larger role in 2023, it might be time for the Chiefs to consider moving on.