Kansas City Chiefs: The 5 biggest moves of Brett Veach’s first year as general manager
By Matt Conner
3. A Defensive Youth Movement
One year after Brett Veach took the position, one thing is clear: he did not like what he saw on defense at all. Instead of blaming the coach in Bob Sutton, the Chiefs front office and coaching staff decided to place the blame on the players taking the field.
Ron Parker is now with the Atlanta Falcons. Derrick Johnson is, ahem, playing for the Oakland Raiders. Tamba Hali is mulling retirement. Bennie Logan landed with the Tennessee Titans. Rakeem Nunez-Roches has switched to wearing an Indianapolis Colts uniform. Marcus Peters, as already mentioned, is suiting up with the L.A. Rams. All of the aforementioned players were starters last year and they’re now all gone. The same can be said of Kenneth Acker, Terrance Mitchell, Phillip Gaines, Darrelle Revis and, Steven Terrell.
This year, every single starter on the Chiefs defense from Week 1 will be in his twenties, barring any further moves or injuries. In fact, Frank Zombo, if they keep him on the active roster, is the only defensive player who will be over 30 during the regular season.
Suddenly the Chiefs are employing Xavier Williams (26), Anthony Hitchens (26), Reggie Ragland (24), David Amerson (26) and Kendall Fuller (23). Veach also drafted Derrick Nnadi (22) and Breeland Speaks (22), both of whom he expects to play immediately. Next to incumbents like Chris Jones (24) and Steven Nelson (25), Dee Ford (27) and Tanoh Kpassagnon (24), it’s clear the Chiefs have a bright young core to mold into something special.
The best defensive players are verging on 30, with both Eric Berry and Justin Houston now at 29, but the Chiefs are placing their bets on a younger, faster and hungrier defense than before.