Brett Veach has only taken massive swings at left tackle in the past, so let’s look at the ones he can make now.
Edge rusher is a concern. Right tackle is a need. Running back, safety, defensive tackle, and wide receiver also need attention. But the one position that has Kansas City Chiefs fans talking the most—and probably the most concerned—heading into NFL free agency is left tackle.
In the past few days, the narrative at the position has flipped from an assumed use of the franchise tag, once again, on Orlando Brown Jr. to an official refusal to do so—a move that will technically allow him to hit unrestricted free agency in less than a week.
Before free agency, there were lists coming out from NFL media saying Brown would be the top tackle available by a country mile if he were to be set free but the common belief was that Veach would tag him again to maintain that leverage and control. Unfortunately, the financial realities facing the Chiefs—and the need for some immediate cash before free agency begins—kept them from keeping that tight grip on Brown.
That’s not to say that Brown is good as gone in K.C. He is not. But both sides have tried for a long time now to find common ground on an extension and it hasn’t happened. And now, 31 other NFL franchises can lean in with their own offers, which complicates the picture going forward for Brown and the Chiefs.
Veach’s history of big swings
Here’s what’s important to remember at this point: the only proven behavior from the Chiefs GM at this very position is a history of big swings—very big swings. It was only two years ago that Veach made no secret of his love for Trent Williams, the single greatest left tackle in the game. He was ready to make him the highest-paid tackle in the game and was willing to reorganize the Chiefs’ roster to make that commitment.
When Williams decided on staying with San Francisco, Veach could have sat back after missing the biggest fish to take the prospect route. Instead, he refused to do so again and traded a first-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for Brown. The two biggest moves possible that offseason for a team at left tackle were to either sign Williams or trade for Brown and Veach pulled both levers.
This is important because, as we look at what the Chiefs might do now, the only history here says that this position is of utmost importance for the Chiefs to Brett Veach. And that means anyone predicting some minor move or acceptable downgrade is saying that narrative has changed.
In the spirit of what Veach has done in the past, we thought we’d take at the biggest swings that Brett Veach can make at the left tackle position for the Chiefs. We’ll put them in the order that we believe they are likely.