False hope or legitimate promise? What to make of Jody Fortson's 2021 season

The fan favorite was earning a growing role last year before injury stole his season. What can we take from that (if anything), and what does 2022 hold for the tight end?

We’ve been here before. Heck, we’ve been here several times before. We were here prior to the (checks notes) 2019 season, then again prior to the 2020 season… then AGAIN prior to the 2021 season.

It’s Jody Fortson hype season. And I make absolutely zero apologies.

Matt McMullen @KCChiefs_Matt

There are a bunch of new faces on the Chiefs' offense worth being excited about, but don't forget the 6-foot-6, 240-pound TE/WR hybrid from last year's roster returning from injury. His name is Jody Fortson, and he's ready to pick up where he left off.

chfs.mePre-Camp Breakdown: Tight End Jody Fortson Aims to Pick Up Where He Left OffFortson had touchdowns in back-to-back games before a season-ending injury last year

Look, this has been going on long enough that you might think it’s just a bit. But despite a certain amount of hyperbole (it IS hype season after all, is it not?), I can tell you that this isn’t just humor, or attempting to stoke the fire of a fanbase that tends to fall in love with players who haven’t been on the field much. If I were to sum up what I really mean by Jody Fortszn (you know, Fortson hype season), it’s this:

Jody Fortson is a player who has at least flashed a valuable skillset every time he’s gotten the opportunity, and I genuinely believe he could fill a niche roll in the offense that could help move the needle a bit. I’ve believed that for several years, and I believe it now more than ever as he rehabs from a tough injury (Achilles) that he suffered last October right when he was starting to see the fruit of his labor over the course of multiple seasons.

So, yes, here we are again. We need to talk about Jody Fortson, who was SO CLOSE to realizing that potential to help the offense when he was hurt, gaining a slowly-increasing role and answering the call every time it was made to him.

Fortson only played 54 snaps in 2021 before injury, which creates a problem in terms of projecting what he will or won’t do in 2022 (also, there’s the issue of recovery from Achilles tears, which is always tough). That said, Fortson did more to stand out in those 54 snaps than multiple other offensive players did in significantly more playing time. That’s the reality, and it makes examining what he did show last season worth talking about as we at least consider his role with the Chiefs moving forward.

So with that in mind, I went back and reviewed the snaps Fortson took last year (both regular season and preseason), as well as looking at what the Chiefs asked of their 2nd and 3rd TE’s last year, to determine what (if anything) Fortson may bring to the table in 2022. One more time, let’s talk about a guy who has shown at every stage he can help, even if in small ways.