The Shadow
KANSAS CITY — John Phillips is a Kansas City Chief.
The Bath County native signed a free agent deal on Monday with the Chiefs, his sixth NFL team.
Orignally, a sixth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia, Phillips has played in Dallas, San Diego, Denver, New Orleans and Arizona.
Phillips played eight games with the Cardinals last year.
The 6-foot-5, 251 pounder, who will turn 32 on June 11, has played in 120 regular season and two playoff games in his pro career, catching 59 passes and scoring six touchdowns.
Phillips is known as a outstanding pass blocker and special teams player.
All-pro Travis Kelce is the Kansas City starting tight end.
Phillips will compete with Blake Bell, Deon Yelder and David Wells for a shot on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster.
Kansas City opens their preseason schedule on Saturday, August 10, at home against Cincinnati.
The Chiefs’ regular season opener is Sunday, September 8, at Jacksonville.
Kansas City was 12-4 a year ago and tied for the AFC West title. They were beaten in the AFC championship game by New England, 37-31, in overtime.
