Buffalo Bills sign Tony Moeaki, former Kansas City Chiefs starter

The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent tight end Tony Moeaki, a player that many fans are likely familiar with from his days as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Moeaki was a third-round draft pick out of Iowa in 2010 and enjoyed a promising rookie campaign during the Chiefs' most recent playoff year, catching 47 passes for 556 yards and three touchdowns. It has all been downhill for Moeaki from that point forward: he missed the entire 2011 season with an ACL tear, and after a year of meager production in his return to the field (33-453-1 in 15 games last season), he fractured his shoulder this past August and was waived/injured on August 31. He then reverted to Injured Reserve after clearing waivers, and reached an injury settlement with the Chiefs on October 23, securing his release.

Now that his rehab is complete, the Bills have signed the 6'3", 252-pound tight end. They'll have four weeks with which to evaluate not only Moeaki's physical condition, but whether or not he can do enough to stick with the team and make a run at a role in 2014.

It's an interesting move, and one that could have implications for starting tight end Scott Chandler, who is scheduled for unrestricted free agency this off-season. Behind Chandler, the Bills have only blocking specialist Lee Smith and a duo of H-Back type receiving threats in rookie Chris Gragg and former fourth-round pick Evan Rodriguez. Moeaki's acquisition also resembles Chandler's; the latter was a veteran that was added late in the 2010 season before assuming the starting role in 2011, making the most of his own extended audition.

Chandler and Moeaki, for the record, were college teammates during Chandler's senior season at Iowa in 2006. Moeaki was a freshman that season, graduating from Iowa in 2009.

Buffalo had an empty roster spot following the release of running back Tashard Choice earlier this morning.