Chiefs' sense of urgency before NFL's trade deadline points to three-peat hopes

The NFL's trade deadline is typically a lot quieter than this for the Kansas City Chiefs. General manager Brett Veach has certainly been known to make a deal when a solid value presents itself, but the team has been quite content to also sit out the midseason frenzy of rumors and trades, having trusted the foresight of roster construction done in the offseason.

This year feels different, however. The Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowls, so it might make sense to stay the course with a more patient approach. However, the team also knows that a historic three-peat is on the table—the first in NFL history if they can do it—and the notoriety (and value) of the franchise will soar to new heights if that occurs.

With that in mind, the front office is operating with far greater urgency this year than any other in Veach's impressive tenure.

The typical posture of the Chiefs front office

In previous seasons, Veach has felt content to stand pat this time of year. The Chiefs go into an offseason having gone through an arduous and honest roster assessment with a master plan that includes several alternate routes depending on how free agency fares and the draft plays out. Once this team has made its moves, the Chiefs have largely stood by that strategy given the level of organizational trust in place.

This is important because the Chiefs are often limited by salary cap dollars as it is, but their willingness to also trust their coaches to prepare the "next man up" brought in by scouts and the front office allows them to stay the course. Think of how former linemen like Nick Allegretti or Andrew Wylie stepped up along the front line in recent Super Bowl runs, for one positional example.

Of course, that doesn't mean Veach is asleep at the wheel in the days leading up to the trade deadline. Last year was a very minor deal to bring back wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Previous years have imported Kadarius Toney or Melvin Ingram. Say what you will about those deals but the activity was there from Veach all the same,.

But this year, however, Veach hasn't stopped working the phones since August. Preseason trades brought in tight end Peyton Hendershot and pass rusher Cam Thomas to bolster fringe roster spots before making active roster cuts. Several weeks later, the Chiefs traded a day 3 draft pick for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and, most recently, the Patriots sent over pass rusher Joshua Uche in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

On Saturday, The Athletic's Dianna Russini noted that the Chiefs are still reportedly looking for help at the NFL's trade deadline at wide receiver and cornerback. The news makes sense given the losses to injuries at both positions, but it also feel contrary to the typical organizational vibe of the Chiefs at midseason. That's because they're not in a typical situation (cue Dave Matthews Band).

By now it's clear to everyone that the Chiefs are headed for a potential three-peat this season, and the NFL's been banging that drum since last year's Super Bowl. No team in NFL history has ever lifted the Lombardi three consecutive times, although a few have tried and failed. It's a rare window of success for any franchise to even attempt the feat, and so few teams look like they're this ready for the challenge.

A new mode for Brett Veach

Hence the reason why Brett Veach is operating in an un-Veach-like manner.

Take cornerback for example. Here's a team that's 7-0 and anchored by a defense that's smothering opponents with a wonderful balance of talent and brilliant coaching. The team lost Jaylen Watson for the season a few weeks ago to a fractured ankle after he'd claimed a starting boundary role opposite Trent McDuffie, but the Chiefs have been known for having a strong preseason competition with numerous young defensive backs.

In the past, this would be the ideal spot for the Chiefs to lean into that "next man up" approach and trust the coaches to eventually have someone playing well enough to step in for Watson. Instead, the Chiefs have poured a bit of gas on the pass rush to ease the burden on corners overall while still shopping for new personnel (per Russini) for someone "fast" and "young."

The same can be said of wide receiver, where Hopkins has already been imported. Instead of bringing up anyone from the practice squad to attempt to fill a role with greater reps each week, the Chiefs are leaving Nikko Remigio, Cornell Powell, and others sitting there waiting while actively shopping for further help.

It's not just the trade market, by the way. It's in the signings of Samaje Perine, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Kareem Hunt on the offensive side. It was in the reunion with Jody Fortson even after they already had three solid tight ends on the roster. Enough is never enough—at least this time. No chances should be taken if more security can be acquired.

That's not to say the Chiefs are without concerns. Every roster has its holes and the cap keeps any team from going all-in like the Yankees or Dodgers and spending their way to glory. But right now, Veach is cashing in more chips than normal in order to elevate the back end of the Chiefs' roster to new heights.

If this team falls short of a three-peat, it certainly won't be due to lack of effort.