Kansas City, Mo. ? When new NFL wideouts come to town, the current ones usually aren’t the first guys to roll out the welcome mats.

They’re characterized as self-serving prima donnas who create new touchdown celebrations in their eternal quest for “kwan,” that abstract concept Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character in “Jerry Maguire” created to mean money, adoration and fame.

So Rod Gardner was a little surprised by the warm reception he got from when he walked into the Kansas City locker room Wednesday.

“Everybody’s behind me. They want me to succeed, so I can’t ask for nothing better,” Gardner said. “Then coming and talking to the receivers – (Eddie) Kennison and all them – they’re with me. Anything I say I need, they say they’ve got me.”

Gardner spent four years with Washington and was with Carolina and Green Bay in 2005. In 76 games with the Redskins, he caught 240 passes for 3,148 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Gardner signed a two-year contract with the Chiefs on Wednesday after spending the preseason with the Packers. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Gardner is a big, physical receiver who can run.

“He needs to be a quick read, be a quick study, but he did some good things in practice,” coach Herm Edwards said.