Kansas City, Mo. ? Freddie Mitchell is grateful for a second chance, even if he was Kansas City’s second choice.

The controversial wide receiver signed a one-year contract Saturday, a day after the Chiefs disclosed that Az-Zahir Hakim unexpectedly had changed his mind about joining them.

Mitchell will be trying to restart a career that had stalled amid controversy and lack of production at Philadelphia.

“I just want to help the team win and hopefully be utilized catching the ball,” he said. “So it’s going to be good. I’m happy to be here.”

The former first-round pick was released last month by the Eagles after falling into disfavor for a series of controversial and inflammatory remarks and publicly feuding with quarterback Donovan McNabb.

“We’re very happy to have him here, and I think he’s happy to be here,” coach Dick Vermeil said. “He’s in a good frame of mind, and his attitude is very good.”

Mitchell played in 63 games in four seasons at Philadelphia but never lived up to the expectations of a first-round pick out of UCLA. He had 90 catches for 1,263 yards and five TDs.

He made unwelcome headlines when he insulted the New England Patriots’ secondary before the Super Bowl. He also blasted McNabb for not throwing to him more.

Finally, he was told not to come to Philadelphia’s first mandatory minicamp.

“I told him I did not want him here,” coach Andy Reid said at the time.

The problems were widely misunderstood, Mitchell said.

“Me and the quarterback really didn’t get along like everybody thought we did,” he said. “I love the team. I could walk in there and play. Me and the quarterback just didn’t get along.”