If Brett Veach is successful over the long-term, it will mean the Chiefs front office was much deeper than anyone knew.
Clark Hunt released a statement a few weeks ago that the Kansas City Chiefs would be interviewing front office members inside the organization and throughout the NFL. The announcement came shortly after Hunt let General Manager John Dorsey walk before the end of his contract, after Hunt told Dorsey there would be no long-term future with the Chiefs. After interviewing a few others, in the end, the Chiefs owner went with a man who was already in the building: Brett Veach.
Veach has been working with Andy Reid for well over a decade, starting out as an intern in 2004 in Philadelphia with the Eagles. This gave Veach an advantage when it came to knowing not only the head coach he would be working with, but also the roster in place.
But was he really the best candidate?
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In 2016, Veach shared his position as Co-Director of Player Personnel with Mike Borgonzi. As far as the NFL front office chain-of-command goes, that would make him third or fourth. Ahead of him, of course, was John Dorsey and Chris Ballard. So how is a man, who just a season ago was that far down the line in your own building, the best candidate for the job?
The question that Clark should be asked is why he would let a talent like Chris Ballard go if things at One Arrowhead Drive were not running so smoothly? Ballard was/is highly regarded by those around the team, NFL and even the fans. The loss of Ballard could be felt over the coming seasons and that hurt could be amplified if he is successful with the Colts.
It was reported that Hunt also had interviews with Seattle Seahawks Co-Director of Player Personnel Scott Fitterer. The Chiefs also interviewed Tennessee Titans’ Director of Player Personel Ryan Cowden. It became quite clear a week after their interviews that Veach would be the man.
For now I will trust that Clark Hunt and the Chiefs made the right decision. The worry for fans is that Veach may just be Reid’s Pinocchio. On the other hand, it is hard to find anything that doesn’t shine a positive light on the new general manager.
Veach has been given one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. Only time will tell whether or not he can add/find talent like his predecessor. But can a man who, just a year ago was third or fourth in line, lead an NFL front office?