David Bell
It’s hard to believe this is Brett Veach’s 7th season as GM of the Kansas City Chiefs! I see many observations about the Chiefs players and predictions of who will make the active 53-man roster. While I find the subject intriguing my cautionary addendum is: “If you don’t break a few eggs, you can’t make an omelet”… so keep an eye on what GM Brett Veach does next week. Will he break an egg to create a better roster… or will he wait?
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Brett Veach GM – Chiefs Photo Credit
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Let’s say you have an important goal or task. Well, sometimes you must do unpleasant things to complete that task or meet that goal. You can say you had to break a few eggs (those are the unpleasant things) to make the omelet (that is the task or goal)… so the negative side is breaking the egg and the result is an omelet. Breaking something to make something is the point. It would mean a shift in the ideation of the final Chiefs roster, if it took place. I do believe this is a very good roster.
I am anticipating a far better season on the offensive side of the ball, that’s for sure.
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Breaking an egg image credit: Business Insider
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In life, as in football, you have to break an egg or two to advance to the goal.
I can’t help but think that HC Andy Reid and the coaching staff are seeing who fits and who doesn’t, as we speak and decisions will be forthcoming even as early as the end of OTAs. However, a lot will depend upon how it gets sorted out when the pads go on in Training Camp.
Before we even get to the point of the first days of camp, teams will be cutting good players from their rosters. Viable players whose salaries are no longer a match for what any particular team projects. June 1 is a magic number in that case.
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Last OTAs are Scheduled for June 4-7
Then comes the mandatory MiniCamp: June 11-13
Before either of these occurs, the NFL date for releasing veterans is June 1 (the day after tomorrow). If released before that date, any remaining prorated money on a player’s contract accelerates onto the cap in the year they are cut or traded. Dead money or prorated bonuses, as an example after June 1, the rule states that any veteran player released or traded after June 1 will have his dead money spread over two seasons instead of only to the current season. The Denver Broncos released Russell Wilson on March 4th so all of his $53M is a Cap Hit for them.
The Brett Veach task is to determine: is a player is being released one of their targets? They then could become a veteran acquisition. In my previous article, I came down to signing a free agent but couldn’t identify a player that I felt would greatly improve the roster. Not at least at a reasonable cost. After the June 1 date, that view of veterans may change. Which might detour temporarily the direction the team is taking!
The Goal? –> Super Bowl LIX: February 9, 2025, at Caesars Super Dome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Mark Konig Image Credit
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Similar to identifying Free Agents that I thought were a fit… and with the Chiefs range of salaries that made sense… it is as difficult to identify a player who is to be a post-June 1 cut: I do know that DL Derek Wolfe — Ravens — is among those players, but he is a run-stuffing DT, while the Chiefs need is for a pass-rushing DT –> my view.
There are going to be many RBs available at that point as well, who might fit. A hungry RB looking for new environs and willing to sign on at a bargain level of salary, that’s what the Chiefs would jump on. Chris Carson of the Seahawks might fit that view, as an example. What about WR? There are going to be many available, too numerous to list. CB? That’s always possible as well. I know what Andy Reid said about the LOT role. It’s a camp battle so, I don’t expect an early move for a Tackle, but it could happen!
I believe the June 1 cut date will come and go and the Chiefs will look and see how the current roster unfolds and where there might be a significant needs. This would be also be true if a player fails in camp or is injured. I’m cautious of any potential moves before the pads go on in camp. Then we’ll see.
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Training Camp Schedule
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2024 Preseason Games
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That’s the true view of what’s coming down the pike. Keeping the roster young and hungry is part of the Veach process. Adding a Left Offensive Tackle seems plausible. Adding a Wide Receiver is doable. Maybe a Corner Back or a pass-rushing Interior Defensive Lineman? It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs make a move or not.
What do you think?
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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