The Kansas City Chiefs are locked in on their upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t mince words about the team’s upcoming road trip to Highmark Stadium.
“I mean, they don’t like us,” Mahomes told reporters of Bills fans. “That’s pretty obvious. They do not like the Chiefs. But I mean, it is a cool environment. I love playing in, like, historic stadiums, and that stadium has had so many great players play in it. And who knows, it might be the last time that we get that opportunity to play there.”
While Kansas City prepares to take on Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Co. in enemy territory, former Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson made a career announcement on Thursday, October 30.
Fortson initially joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Despite minimal playing time, he quickly became a fan favorite. After two years on the practice squad, he earned a spot on the active roster in 2021. Between 2021 and 2022, he appeared in 21 games, recording 14 receptions for 155 yards and four touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Fortson missed the entire 2023 NFL season after suffering a shoulder injury during training camp. In 2024, he briefly left for a short stint with the Miami Dolphins but returned to the Chiefs before the season began.
Tragically, the 29-year-old suffered a heartbreaking season-ending injury in Week 8.
### Former Chiefs TE Jody Fortson Is ‘Fully Cleared,’ Ready to Sign
Nearly a year to the day after Fortson sustained a devastating right leg injury against the Las Vegas Raiders, the three-time Super Bowl champion is ready to make a comeback.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported:
“Fortson, who tore his ACL and meniscus last year trying to recover an on-sides kick, has been fully cleared and is ready to sign with a team, per his agents @KatzBrosSports.”
The news sent waves of excitement through Chiefs Kingdom. Fans flooded social media with messages such as “Come back to KC,” “CHIEFS PLEASEEE,” and “🚨 OLD FRIEND ALERT @Chiefs 🚨.”
The Chiefs have a history of bringing back familiar faces. Just yesterday, they re-signed nose tackle Mike Pennel. To make room for Pennel on the roster, Kansas City released defensive end Malik Herring.
### Jody Fortson Calls Chiefs TE Travis Kelce His ‘Favorite Player on Any Level’
It’s safe to assume Fortson would love to return to Kansas City, especially to reunite with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, whom the 29-year-old considers a close mentor.
“Travis Kelce is my favorite teammate of all time on any level—Pop Warner, high school, college,” Fortson told reporters in March 2024. “Not only because he took his time trying to teach me the role of being a tight end, but just because of how great a person he is. He didn’t have to. He just showed unconditional love and knowledge for the game.”
The Valdosta State alum offered Kelce the highest praise possible:
“Being in a room with Kelce definitely set me forward light years beyond where I would have been if I hadn’t had arguably the greatest of all time in that room. Being able to learn and see how he’s attacking different routes, and why he views coverage like this—you’re not able to get that unless you’re with somebody who knows that.”
With Kelce’s guidance, Fortson learned to slow his game down and develop patience. He called working with the future Hall of Famer an “extraordinary blessing.”
As Fortson looks ahead to a hopeful return to the field, Chiefs fans will no doubt be eager to see one of their former favorites back in action — wearing the red and gold once again.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/jody-fortson-makes-career-announcement/
