Examining Brett Veach’s tendencies in free agency, trades, and the NFL Draft
By Grant Tuttle
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach can find value where there is none. Here are the kinds of moves that one might expect from him this spring.
Brett Veach made us all very skeptical in 2019 when he decided not to add any extra cornerback talent past Bashaud Breeland and Morris Claiborne. Before we all begin to lose our minds about the Kansas City GM not adding enough talent immediately this offseason, remember that many of the best moves by the Chiefs have come after the conceived top player at their position is off the board.
The Chiefs, under Veach and head coach Andy Reid have added talent and kept it as opposed to the disaster that is taking place in Houston right now with Bill O’Brien. There is a stark difference between Veach and O’Brien and it has to do with calculating upside as opposed to production, grinding the tape, and using your head instead of your heart.
After winning the Super Bowl, there is very little doubt that the Chiefs are one of the best organizations in football. Like the great organizations in the NFL, the team thinks proactively instead of reactionary. With the exception of Veach’s first draft class, the Chiefs have been proactive and have functioned without seemingly getting too emotionally attached to players. On the other hand, struggling organizations try to make a series of “splash” moves in free agency and on the trade block.
Furthermore, these organizations cater to the players they get emotionally attached to. For instance, Bill O’Brien giving former mediocre-at-best safety Eric Murray a contract worth up to $20.25 million over three years. It does not matter how well you think a player may fit—a safety that is not above average is not worth that kind of money. A good talent evaluator and general manager are able to determine that.
Like Veach and Reid in Kansas City, the New England Patriots are able to make tough decisions. As mentioned, Veach overhauled a defense that had the best pass-rush in the league. In New England, Bill Belichick and the Patriots have made the decision to move on from the greatest quarterback in modern football history. This isn’t the only time that the Patriots have been ahead of the curve. The team has always added talent wherever they could but refrained from overspending on their own talented players. Trey Flowers was allowed to leave after having a top-tier season. Wes Welker walked away. The Patriots traded away Mike Vrabel. The Chiefs, like the Patriots know that the key to building a successful team isn’t always about All-Pro players, but rather finding diamonds-in-the-rough who play a distinct role.