Jan. 29, 2023: Patrick Mahomes raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy while Travis Kelce celebrates after the Kansas City Chiefs' 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK

Chiefs to sign former Bengals tight end

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated 3/12/24

The Kansas City Chiefs plan to sign veteran former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith, dropping a dangerous pass-catcher into Patrick Mahomes‘ arsenal and opposite Travis Kelce in the defending Super Bowl champions’ explosive offense.

Smith, 25, has battled through myriad injuries during his career, and only appeared in 12 games for the Bengals during the 2023 season. The Chiefs likely view Smith as a quality depth piece with upside, particularly in two-tight end sets opposite Kelce.

Originally chosen by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, when he has been healthy and on the field, Smith has been a productive and consistent weapon in the passing game. Through his first four seasons, Smith has appeared in 49 games while making 21 starts and catching 109 passes for 973 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.

Joe Burrow Raves About Kansas City Chiefs’ New Tight End

Smith now goes from catching passes from one elite quarterback to arguably the premier quarterback to ever play the sport.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was a big fan of Patrick Mahomes’ newest target during their time together in Cincinnati.

“Irv, first of all, he’s upstairs all day every day learning the offense, watching tape with [tight ends coach] James [Casey]. So that’s exciting to hear,” Burrow told reporters after Smith originally arrived in Cincinnati. “And he’s looking smooth — big, strong, athletic, smooth hands. So we’re excited to have that guy.”

Kelce is a focal point of the Kansas City Chiefs offense, and Mahomes’ target hierarchy, but Smith now arrives as a complementary weapon and perhaps an eventual successor to the future Hall of Fame tight end. Especially if he can build as strong a rapport with Mahomes as he did with Burrow.