The 2025 NFL draft has arrived, and Kansas City Chiefs fans can't wait to see what general manager Brett Veach has in store for the three-day event. The Chiefs have various needs to address after falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59, leaving the front office looking for rookies to help keep the team in the championship conversation.
Even though a lot of this week's focus has been on the incoming rookie class, now is a good time to check in on what certain ex-Chiefs are up to. The second month of free agency is almost done, and while various former Kansas City players have already found new homes, one fan favorite is on pace to end April in the unemployment line.
Former Chiefs TE Jody Fortson is Still Unsigned as NFL Draft Begins
Spotrac is currently listing four Chiefs free agents who are still unsigned on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft, including tight end Jody Fortson. Aside from a five-month run with the Miami Dolphins last offseason, Fortson has spent his entire NFL run in Kansas City.
The Buffalo, NY native initially joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 draft. The hope was that Fortson could become a reliable backup TE behind Travis Kelce after tallying 37 catches for 477 receiving yards and seven touchdowns across 19 games at Valdosta State.
It didn't take long for Fortson to carve out a spot in Chiefs fans' hearts. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound playmaker impressed the fanbase with his athleticism and blocking, as well as his never-say-die attitude. Unfortunately, a combination of a lengthy injury history and practice squad stints prevented him from reaching his true potential.
By the end of his run, Fortson had played 22 regular-season games (1 start), hauling in 15-of-21 targets (71.4%) for 160 receiving yards and four touchdown grabs. He didn't put up the most eye-popping offensive numbers, however, his average of an 80.1 Pro Football Focus run block grade shows that he's effective as a blocker.
That's without mentioning the three Super Bowl rings he won (even if he didn't play the biggest role in that success), which is the type of experience most coaches should covet.
Now that the NFL draft is set to begin, Fortson might have to wait a while longer to find a job. Teams will be busy fleshing out their rosters with incoming rookies, both drafted and undrafted, meaning Fortson is in jeopardy of waiting until a team with a glaring hole in their TE room has no choice but to turn to him for help.
Expect Fortson's outlook to become clearer after the 2025 NFL draft concludes.