Chiefs GM Brett Veach's recent 2025 NFL Scouting Combine comments put several pending free agents on notice
The Kansas City Chiefs have entered a phase in which their success is starting to catch up with them regarding roster-building. When you have a lot of success in the NFL, many of your best players command top contracts. With 20 pending unrestricted free agents, the Chiefs are grappling with the fact that they won't be able […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have entered a phase in which their success is starting to catch up with them regarding roster-building.
When you have a lot of success in the NFL, many of your best players command top contracts. With 20 pending unrestricted free agents, the Chiefs are grappling with the fact that they won't be able to keep every single player. Some of those decisions ultimately come down to whether or not the general managers feel there's a route to replacing a particular player in the offseason, either via free agency or the upcoming NFL draft.
In the case of the 2025 NFL draft, the strengths and weaknesses of the class could influence Chiefs GM Brett Veach's decision-making.
Strong running back class puts Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine in the crosshairs
The Chiefs have two pending free-agent running backs, Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine, who were each added to the roster during the 2024 NFL season. Could each player be back with the team in 2025?
With up to three running backs projected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, Veach says it's a combination of where the league is heading, along with the position group being a significant strength of the 2025 NFL draft class.
"I think that this is a deep running back class," Veach said. "I think that that's the one position, offensively. . . I think, you need more than one. I mean, it's a long season, and you have to have a good tandem there. You saw the Niners the last few years when they were operating at their peak. I mean, they had the guys like (Jordan Mason) with (Christian) McCaffrey, McCaffrey with Elijah Mitchell. They've had a ton in there for a while. So I think having multiple running backs is a trend too, that could elevate where guys go."
This is also a proven method for the Chiefs, who've had their best success with a strong tandem of running backs. Injuries occur at a high rate for the position, which means you must have multiple options. Just look at what happened with Isiah Pacheco last season.
Another consideration: Pacheco is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Jaylen Watson, Leo Chenal, and Bryan Cook will also be pending free agents looking for new contracts.
2025 draft strengths could have the Chiefs saying goodbye to Nick Bolton, Charles Omenihu
While running back is Veach's one offensive strength in the 2025 NFL draft, he views this year as a strong defensive draft. He mentioned three position groups as strengths on the defensive side of the ball.
"I think it's more of a defensive draft," Veach said. "I think that the talent is on the defensive line and the corners, and I think it's a solid linebacking crew."
These comments ring loudly when you consider that the Chiefs have a starting linebacker (Nick Bolton) and several rotational defensive linemen (Charles Omenihu, Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi, and Mike Pennel) slated to become unrestricted free agents in March. A good defensive line and linebacker class could mean Kansas City invests draft capital instead of cap space and cash on those position groups.
The cornerback comments don't precisely go unheeded, either, as a trio of cornerbacks (Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Joshua Williams) will be in contract years in 2025.
Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach makes offseason priorities abundantly clear at the onset of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
Chiefs GM Brett Veach enjoys one of the NFL’s oldest team-building platitudes.
