Is Brett Veach the hero Chiefs Kingdom needs?
Brett Veach is the new General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. Hired to fill the vacancy left by John Dorsey’s abrupt exit, is he the hero we need?
What an offseason so far! Free agency came and went with little noise. The draft was an exciting time, the highlight being the trading for and drafting of quarterback of the future Patrick Mahomes. Key players were also on the move as longtime Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles was released. Jeremy Maclin found himself on the chopping block next.
Then, on an unlikely summer day, John Dorsey was fired. Officially, Dorsey and the team mutually agreed to part ways. Speculate on reasons why all you want, but let’s stick to the facts. Dorsey is gone and Brett Veach is the new front man. The question on my mind as well as the minds of everyone else is this: is he the hero we need?
Career Snapshot: Pre-NFL
Veach and football are almost synonymous with each other. This man lives, breathes, and bleeds football. The earliest recorded exposure to football he has is during his high school days. During Veach’s senior year at Mount Carmel Area High School in 1996 (located in Mount Carmel, PA), he accumulated 2,163 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. Veach’s contribution spurred the team to a 15-0 state championship that year.
Veach made his way to Delaware for college and found himself in a tricky spot. He was undersized to play in the offense that Delaware ran. That did not stop him though as he made a name for himself playing as the kick and punt returner and even spending some time at wide receiver. Veach would catch passes from none other than current Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. His stats at Delaware totalled 1,558 return yards, 99 catches for 1,470 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Career Snapshot: NFL Tenure
After graduation, Veach stayed at Delaware as a graduate assistant, working closely with the football team, on the path to becoming a stellar athletic director. However, things took a different path in 2004 when he landed a training camp internship with the Philadelphia Eagles. That summer made an impact on then head coach Andy Reid and Veach was called up to be a coaching assistant to Reid. Veach stayed in that role from 2007-2009. But, it was the 2008 NFL Draft that really showed the world what Veach was made of.
That year, Veach was tasked by Reid to find the best wide receiver to take in the second round. That receiver Veach found was none other than DeSean Jackson. Veach and Jackson had very similar circumstances, both being undersized and viewed as the underdog. We all know how that one ended. Jackson would go on to make three Pro Bowl appearances as well as catching 356 passes for 6,117 yards, and 32 touchdowns for the Eagles. 2010 saw Veach promoted to a Pro and College Scout for the Eagles.
When Reid came to Kansas City, he ensured that Veach followed. Starting in 2013, Veach filled the role of professional and college personnel analyst. 2015 came along and Veach was promoted to co-Director of Player Personnel, alongside Mike Borgonzi. When Dorsey’s firing hit, Veach’s name was floated as one of the potential replacements. The Chiefs liked Veach enough to hire him on as the new General Manager less than one month after Dorsey had left.
No doubt team owner Clark Hunt saw the relationship that Veach and Reid have, paired with Veach’s experience in scouting professional and college level talent, and knew it would be a great fit as the new general manager.
Brett Veach: Is he the hero we need?
Many in Chiefs Kingdom are still upset over the firing of Dorsey, but there is a new man in charge and it is time for the Kingdom to rally behind him and give our support. Veach has a lot of work to do in these first few critical weeks of his tenure. The first priority should be getting Patrick Mahomes signed to his rookie contract. Once that is set in place, I think all of us will sleep a little bit easier. If he does this, he will show the fan base that he means business and is the hero that we need right now.
What do you think Addicts? Do you like Veach as our new GM? Is Hunt a genius or is he crazy for hiring this guy? Let me know in the comments and on Twitter too! Thanks for reading and Go Chiefs!