How Brett Veach has built the Kansas City Chiefs into a possible dynasty
By Kole Berrey
2019 was the year that Brett Veach really started to flex his muscles as a general manager.
It truly is incredible to see all the moves he had and how almost every one of them worked out.
Coming fresh off of a disappointing AFC Championship loss, Veach acted quickly, replacing Bob Sutton as defensive coordinator and bringing in Steve Spagnuolo. He also made the difficult decision to release long time franchise cornerstones Eric Berry and Justin Houston. Dee Ford was also franchise tagged and traded, and the roster, especially the defense, was about to see a ton of change.
Veach kicked off free agency that year by bringing in star defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. He also signed running back Carlos Hyde and defensive end Alex Okafor. He added starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who had an interception in the Super Bowl and a game winning pass defense against New England.
Damien Wilson signed with the team as well. His impact may not have been as big as some others, but he did provide depth and solid play at linebacker over the season.
Veach really showed his wits in trades in 2019. He kicked it off by trading away Eric Murray for Emmanuel Ogbah, who was leading the team in sacks before he went down with injury.
He then acquired defensive end Frank Clark from the Seattles Seahawks for a first and second round pick. He managed to turn his Hyde signing into a trade with the Houston Texans for former third round pick Martinas Rankins.
Veach’s draft class also was a big success.
Juan Thornhill and Mecole Hardman look to be big pieces of the future for the team. Khalen Saunders was a developmental pick that saw time last year, and Rashad Fenton is a decent depth piece and special teamer that saw playing time in the Super Bowl.
Other moves that Veach made this year were the signings of LeSean McCoy and Terrell Suggs. Both were involved in big time plays for the team, McCoy at the beginning of the year and Suggs at the end.
Tyreek Hill was also extended, locking up the star wide receiver until the 2023 season. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and kicker Harrison Butker also signed extensions. Matt Moore was brought in as well, leading the Chiefs to two wins in three games after Mahomes went down with injury.
Veach brought in defensive lineman Mike Pennel during the season, which drastically changed the team’s rushing defense.
Conclusion: Find a move here that failed. Go ahead. Even the moves that didn’t work out that weren’t mentioned, like the signing of Morris Claiborne, had no negative impact on the franchise.
Terrell Suggs. Beshaud Breeland. Frank Clark. Tyrann Mathieu. Juan Thornhill. Mecole Hardman. Mike Pennell. All of these guys had a giant hand in helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. Not only that, but young guys like Thornhill and Hardman set the team up for success in the future, as both project as high level starters this year.
The extensions of Butker, Schwartz, and Hill also lock up dominant players at their positions for reasonable contracts, which is what good franchises do.
Veach couldn’t stop winning in 2019.