There are a Lot of Questions, What’s Next, Mr. Veach?

David Bell

I have no clue what the plan is for this offseason. Who does? I do know Brett Veach will determine how to ensure that HC Andy Reid & Co. has a good roster to work with in 2024. I see far too much pessimism among Chiefs Kingdom. “In Veach We Trust”… IVWT… should be what we all have bought into and I can see no reason to adopt another viewpoint.

Previously, Laddie and I discussed retaining Chris Jones. My thoughts have changed over the past month, and now I think Jones will return for 2, 3, or 4 years, but it will be a costly retention. Why do I think he’ll return? …. (0:45)

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In the same breath, L’Jarius Sneed has posted “Pay Me”! (0:24)

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Consequently, I think Sneed will likely become a Free Agent, even if it was my goal as GM to retain both men. If they do, it means the slate is wiped clean. I cannot see spending something like $47M-$50M to make that happen. Take a look at this piece about Sneed written by Jeff Kerr for CBS Sports called, “2024 NFL free agency: L’Jarius Sneed hopes Chiefs can afford to keep him and Chris Jones.“

In a previous article by myself and Laddie, I listed all of the Chiefs 2024 free agents. Review that piece here: “What Else Can Brett Veach Get Done?”

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Numerous players are important to the 2024 season, and Laddie has also mentioned signing the rookie draft class.

To make special teams work, I believe Tommy Townsend is a must. I don’t want to lose LS James Winchester… but? The Chiefs could cut Joe Thuney and retain Nick Allegretti as a starter. It would save Cap Space. Clearly, Allegretti would and should be a starter. As noted, the Chiefs are likely to lose L’Jarius Sneed, so retaining Nazeeh Johnson becomes important. Johnson played well until injured. We also have Watson and Williams who probably rank in front of N. Johnson.

If Gay and Tranquill leave in Free Agency, then Leo Chenal and Jack Cochrane become crucial. Plus, getting Cochrane back becomes an important free-agent signing.

Our WR corps didn’t get the job done. I see MVS being delivered to the NFL gods, but at the same time, I envision Mecole Hardman being retained on a new contract. The rest? Rice, Watson, and who? This becomes a critical draft question.

The OL is solid with only Donovan Smith being a free agent. Presume that Nick Allegretti is retained, but Smith departs. The Chiefs have depth at OT — however, the question becomes, can Taylor move to LOT, and then who starts at ROT? Plus, not having a high draft pick, is there a player in the draft that will be available at pick #32 for the LOT role? For the ROT role? The Chiefs have depth at OT in Lucas Niang, Wanya Morris and Prince Tega-Wanogho. Could one of those men become a starter?

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Starting Back at the Top? DE and DT

I like what George Karlaftis brings to the table. He is under contract. However, the opposite side becomes a question. Mike Danna is also a free agent. Depth players also play a role here, Malik Herring, a free agent in 2024, deserves special mention. The player that may mean the most, though, is Mike Danna, who is a free agent this spring.

I have already addressed Chris Jones. He is a Superhero DT. Dare I presume he gets a new deal? If so, then opposite him? Charles Omenihu.? Felix Anudike-Uzomah? We can win with one of those combos. Derrick Nnadi deserves to also be mentioned here, and Nnadi is a 2024 free agent.

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WE NEED!

What will happen is all up in the air. What it will take to get back to a “Threepeat” is Brett Veach’s magic. As I mentioned, the task is daunting and perhaps the toughest offseason of Veach’s career. Can Brett pull a rabbit out of a hat?

Here is an article by Lou Scataglia for the NFLSpinZone.com about three magical events that may well occur, beginning with a rework of Mahome’s contract: “3 salary-cap decisions Chiefs will have to make in 2024“

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I have postulated previously that Mahomes would rework his contract to give GM Brett Veach monies from which to operate. I agree with the author’s conclusion about Marquez Valdez-Scantling. I have projected that he will be released.e, I am not sure about the IOL. Thuney is under contract. Humphrey and Smith are part of the youth movement and extending both players secures the future. Can the Chiefs do another contract rework for Joe Thuney? The mystery continues in this offseason.

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• Retain Tommy Townsend (Pu)
• Retain Nick Allegretti (IOL)
• Retain Richie James (WR/Sp)
• Retain Mike Danna (DE)
• Retain Mecole Hardman (WR)
• Retain Donovan Smith (LOT)
• Retain Willie Gay (LB)

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I’d love to retain Mike Edwards (DB) and Deon Bush (S). Of course, higher on my list are Willie Gay and Drue Tranquill. Regarding this pair of LBs, the separator for me is speed and the fact that Gay is a draft pick. I’d love to retain Tranquill as well.

My list is very expensive as it is.

No Matter What Happens!

At the Parade, CJ indicated he wasn’t going anywhere. However, Jay Sneed posted “Pay Me” on the Kay Adams Show which was published on “X”. We are “hoisted upon the horns of a dilemma,” right there.

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On the Horns of a Dilemma _ London Illustrated, 1901, Image credit

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We must watch and wait to see how the offseason unfolds as the team approaches the crux of questions and deliberations… and then, the draft! What faces GM Brett Veach is a truly monumental task. We need some miracles for the Fountain City, Mr. Veach!

What About the Draft?

it’s far too early to define who will be one of the first three picks because we don’t know if Jones or Sneed will get a new contract. Swap me back to my earlier take: we cannot afford $30M for a 30-year-old DT. We should instead focus on resigning L’Jarius Sneed and use the available cap capital to sign the players I listed above.

There is a very good article at ArrowheadPride on the Chiefs Cap situation and Draft:

“Chiefs 2024 offseason overview: free agents, salary cap and the draft” see it here. <–

I have played games with mock drafts, but it seems impossible to project. The way the Chiefs have approached the draft depends on the roster as it is constituted before that date. That changes one’s approach to the draft completely.

Should they draft a WR? As noted, I think MVS should depart, and we eat the $2M in dead money. I have projected that among the top WRs, Adonai Mitchell (UT) will likely fall into the Chiefs drafting range. If Sneed departs, I can see CB rising to one of the top three draft picks. If CJ goes elsewhere, I consider that then a top draft pick should be a DT.

I do know what Donovan Smith (LOT) will require in a new contract. He was serviceable throughout 2023 and played well in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Even if we don’t draft an OT with the top 3 picks, an OT should be among the last three choices. The Chiefs currently have six draft picks. I would think Brett Veach would trade up if this is the top team need, but they will likely avoid that and sign Donovan Smith to a new contract (depending on his financial demands).

If Jones departs, the same consideration must be made. Target someone in the draft who is slotted far higher than pick 32. My take about CB is a lesser consideration. The Chiefs have a good stable of CBs. I think it would fall in importance to a later draft pick. Of course, I recognize that this has been the Chiefs “modus operandi” for the past few seasons: “You can never have enough good corners.”

It really is far too, early to anticipate who the Chiefs might target and why. Such clarity will come after the Combine. Hopefully, by that time, contracts will mostly be resolved. For a view of the Combine event, see Laddie’s article on the Combine here: “The Combine in Indy is Next“.

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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