It's been a busy offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs and Brett Veach, though it might not be over just yet. Here are some trades they should make.
Brett Veach and Kansas City are in the midst of a busy training camp. Andy Reid and the coaching staff are gearing up for what should be a tough Super Bowl repeat campaign. As roster battles continue to play out, KC will have the ability to deal away some of their leftover assets to needy teams for draft capital.
If we know anything about Veach and the Kansas City front office, it's that they intend to retool their roster through the NFL Draft, as the majority of their salary cap is (and should be) tied into keeping the majority of their roster in tact. Maintaining a dynasty is one of the toughest aspects of any wanna-be general manager. Veach, frankly, does so better than most.
Kansas City is blessed with depth at key positions. It's why they could afford to deal away Tyreek Hill last offseason, and still won a Super Bowl.
NFL Rumors: Chiefs should trade away this running back
As undervalued as the running back position may be, especially on this Chiefs team, they really have no need for CEH anymore. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was once viewed as the future at the position. However, with the emergence of players like Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon, Edwards-Helaire's place in this offense is in question.
If he's on the roster come the start of the season, Edwards-Helaire will see limited touches, as was the case near the end of last season and the playoffs. Yet, he's still young and talented enough to contribute for another team. Why not deal him for a late-round pick?
Edwards-Helaire knows his future is up in the air, and even commented on the matter at Chiefs camp.
"I can't think two years ahead from now or the position I will be in 12 months from now," Edwards-Helaire said. "It was really coming in and figuring out and seeing the things I can work on and from that point on rolling with it. I know what I have to do in order to get on the field and do the things I need to do this year."
CEH is as motivated as ever, but matters are out of his control for a reason.
NFL Rumors: Chiefs should trade Danny Shelton while his value is high
Danny Shelton has definitely worked his way into the defensive line rotation this training camp. In fact, he's been rather impressive in the preseason and in joint practices. That means the Chiefs can sell high on him should they choose, and with Chris Jones (hopefully) involved at the defensive tackle spot, that's less reps for a player like Shelton.
Shelton spent the majority of last season on the practice squad, and failed to reach the high level of expectations fans had for him. Odds are, he's closer to that player than the one folks are raving about in camp. Chiefs Wire considered Shelton on the outs just a few weeks ago:
"When the Chiefs signed Shelton a season ago, fans were expecting a two-down contributor. Instead, they got a player who spent the season on the practice squad. He got one call-up to the 53-man roster in Week 16, which marked the first time that the former first-round draft pick had played since 2021. With depth at the defensive tackle position lacking, Shelton has an opportunity to crack the roster, but he'll need to take full advantage in training camp."
Consider me a pessimist, but my money is on Veach flipping a player with the potential of Shelton into a late-round draft pick.
NFL Rumors: Could Chiefs trade away a quarterback?
A quarterback surplus is never a bad thing. Kansas City signed Blaine Gabbert for a reason, as the retirement of Chad Henne left a veteran-sized hole on the roster behind Patrick Mahomes. However, Shane Buechele has consistently proven himself as a potential backup QB, whether it be via practice reps or preseason games.
Regular-season action is far different than the preseason, but Buechele has earned the right to be the emergency option behind Mahomes. Ideally, the Chiefs will never have to use him. Gabbert, meanwhile, has done little to impress when thrown into action.
Buechele threw a touchdown pass to Justyn Ross in the team's first preseason game. While Ross did plenty of work to secure the catch, it's those kinds of shots Buechele needs to take if he's ever to take snaps in a regular-season game.
"That was awesome," Buechele said of Ross' touchdown grab. "Seeing the smile on his face after he caught that ball was the best part. He did a great job of running the route and just executing the play. I was happy for him. It was awesome."
Buechele has spent years in Kansas City's system and formed a connection with many of the returning wideouts. Gabbert, meanwhile, is brand new, and has done little to prove he's any more than a first-round bust.
Yet, there will always be a need for backup-level passers, especially with all the QB injuries that happen in training camp. Veach can take advantage of that unfortunate fact.
NFL Rumors: Chiefs shouldn't trade Chris Jones
Chris Jones and the Chiefs front office are in the middle of a contract dispute. It's hard to ignore the trade rumors which come along with that. Jones is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro, and wants to avoid the franchise tag next offseason. In order to do so, an extension now makes most sense.
Jones is nearing the wrong side of 30 years old. This is his last, best chance to receive a lucrative long-term deal. Veach has made it clear the team has no intention of trading Jones, for what that's worth:
"He's a great player, and he wants a big contract," Veach said. "He deserves a big contract, and I don't think there's any surprises in that regard. But there's just some hurdles we have to work through in regards to how we can keep this thing going for the short- and long-term. But we've never wavered on, 'This is a guy that we want to exhaust all of our efforts to get done,' because that's how much we think of him."
It's unclear if Jones wants to be the highest-paid player at his position. That would require the Chiefs to give him Aaron Donald money, which isn't in the best interest of a Super Bowl-winning team with the intention of building upon its dynasty.
Kansas City and Jones are between a rock and a hard place, but that does not mean a trade is looming, thankfully.
