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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, MISSOURI – JANUARY 12: Mike Pennel #64 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a defensive stop against quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 12: Mike Pennel #64 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a defensive stop against quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Not every great move Veach has made has been a trade, though. In October of 2019, desperately needing answers to help stop the bleeding in a porous run-defense, Veach went to the veteran free agent grab bag and came out with long-time NFL defensive lineman Mike Pennel.

Paying pennies-on-the-dollar for the mid-season acquisition, Veach essentially stole Pennel given the contributions the 2014 undrafted free agent contributed to the Super Bowl run for the Chiefs. The former Green Bay Packer defensive end stepped in to Kansas City as a tackle and, despite playing a new position, was a key cog in the leaky unit that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was putting on the field through the first half of the season.

While Pennel did not start any regular season games, the team did call on him to start in their first two playoff games, and even when he was not starting Pennel was an effective contributor for the run defense.

And the magic does not stop there, as Veach was able to re-sign Pennel for the 2020 season and did so for a contract of under $1 million. If Pennel once again plays 30 percent of the snaps for the Kansas City defense in 2020, that price tag will be a bargain for Kansas City.

The Chiefs were lucky to get him in 2019, lucky he adjusted to a new position seamlessly, and are lucky to have him back in 2020. This continues to be a great move for Brett Veach and the Chiefs.

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