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The most underrated moves of Brett Veach’s career with KC Chiefs

By Kelly Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Brett Veach general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs is seen at the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Brett Veach general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs is seen at the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Most people are quite familiar with the Chiefs’ lore which indicates that it was Veach who, as the co-director of player personnel, “pounded-the-table” for the Chiefs to move up and select now-star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. To what degree that is true or untrue remains a deeply-shrouded mystery and hotly-contested narrative throughout Chiefs Kingdom and the NFL.

However, what is not debatable is that when Veach made the decision to trade veteran incumbent starter Alex Smith following his first season as general manager. By fully committing to Mahomes after just one career start during his rookie season, he was making a massively bold decision that altered the fate of the franchise quickly and decisively.

It was bold not only because the young Texas Tech quarterback was an unproven, if not unknown, commodity. It was also a risk because Smith had been a good quarterback for Kansas City, winning 67 percent of his games over five seasons with the team.

Two years later and the gamble has proven to pay off exponentially. Not only was Veach’s intuition about Mahomes dead-on, but what he was able to get in return for the team’s long-time starter also paid off massively. For Smith, Veach was able to acquire a starting cornerback who started for a Super Bowl Champion defense. While Kendall Fuller only spent two years with the Chiefs (and is now, ironically, back with Washington), his impact and versatility was undeniable in helping to secure the Lombardi Trophy.

If that were the only trade return, it may be underwhelming for a quarterback of Smith’s caliber (though still the right move, and still a good move). However, Veach also received a third round pick in the deal. That pick turned into the 75th overall selection in the 2018 draft, and with it the general manager selected Florida State defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi. Nnadi has since played in every game since joining the roster, including starting 27 of 32 regular season games and all five of the team’s playoff games.

This was a home run for Kansas City and Veach, and as his first major move as the general manager, deserves significant praise.

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