Chiefs general manager Brett Veach says there’s ‘a ton of work’ to be done on Kansas City’s new-look defense.
It’s the start of a new era in Kansas in the wake of losing franchise legends Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu. Free agency was relatively quiet for them, but they made up for it with 10 picks in the draft.
Kansas drafted cornerback Trent McDuffie, pass-rusher George Karlaftis and WR Skyy Moore. Safety Justin Reid and veteran WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were acquired in free agency.
In spite of the upheaval, Brett Veach insists the team is in good shape to challenge next season.
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With McDuffie, Karlaftis, Reid as well as third-round linebacker Leo Chenal, Kansas has four potential new starters on defense.
“There could be a transitional period here with these guys, too,” Brett Veach said. “You’re talking about a rookie corner and a rookie linebacker and a rookie defensive end, a safety that was brought in from Houston. That’s a lot of moving parts there. It looks good on paper, but there’s a ton of work that has to be done.”
Kansas may not have the luxury of a transitional period, given the expectations on the franchise. The Chiefs are expected to compete for a 7th straight divisional title and a 5th straight AFC Championship Game.
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“We have the guys and we have the wiring to be really good,” Veach said. “Given our track record, given our coaching staff … I feel optimistic, I’d say.’
“I feel pretty good about the work we did in the offseason,” Veach added. “We had a lot of things we had to accomplish. I feel good about our approach. I feel good about the plan we had. It was tricky, especially when the receiver market went crazy.
“I feel good not just about the talent we added but the quantity. I think we added a lot of good talent.”
