Kansas City Chiefs fans would love for the team to sign a shiny new receiver in free agency, but general manager Brett Veach's comments may subtly imply that the team will move in a different direction.

At this week's NFL Combine, Veach spoke with the media about the development of rookie receiver Rashee Rice, who earned 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the Chiefs (including the postseason).

Veach had some great things to say about Rice's ability to pick up such a complicated offense in his first year and succeed.

"Our situation is a little unique where you have a coaching staff and a quarterback that puts a lot of pressure for the players to come in and perform right away," Veach said. "Credit to Rashee, it just speaks to him and his resilience. It was a lot early on and our coaches just did a great job of pacing him.

"I know early on you see the flashes and you want more, more, more, but there was a plan there was a vision and these things take time. Sometimes they don’t happen as soon as you want, and it takes some time. I think with Rashee, he was determined to make it happen this year and to keep working. He did a great job, certainly credit to him and the work he put in off the field, with the playbook, and with our coaches after practice."

The interesting part about Veach's comments is the time aspect. Veach noted that the team made sure to be patient with Rice's development during a grueling 21-game season (playoffs included), and knew that by the end of the season he would be able to succeed if he put in the work.

That approach might be the reason why the Chiefs decide against signing a high-profile free agent receiver like Michael Pittman Jr. or Mike Evans, and instead just draft another wideout in the first two rounds to complement Rice.

The Chiefs' process over the last few years has been to treat the regular season as a time to grow, learn, and find each player's best fit. That way, by the time the postseason starts, the team's identity will be fully realized, and their players will be the best versions of themselves.

With that approach, it makes sense that the Chiefs would draft another smart receiver who could put in the work during the season, and hope for a breakout by the time December and January rolls around. The best part about 2024 is that the team will already have a more-seasoned second-year version of Rice to lean on, taking just a little bit of pressure off a potential high-round WR draftee.