If players have significantly impacted the team, the connection between the front office and former players can last well beyond their tenure with the franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs had plenty of players who went to other teams but still held a special place in Chiefs Kingdom.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach revealed a conversation he had with a former Pro Bowl player about rookie Jaden Hicks during Thursday’s Zoom press conference.
“It’s funny. I was at home watching some preseason games after we got done playing one night,” said Veach, “I think I just randomly texted Tyrann Mathieu just to check in and say hi; we were exchanging texts, and he kind of ended it with And 21’s a stud.'”
Mathieu is still a fixture in the Chiefs front office’s minds even though he plays for the New Orleans Saints. Aside from his casual conversation with Veach, the endorsement of Hicks is a comforting notion that the Chiefs may have another potential star on the roster.
“So, I think it’s not just apparent to us; even the league’s taking notice. And a guy like Tyrann Mathieu, he sets the standard there, so when he’s sitting there watching games, and we’re not talking Chiefs, we’re just exchanging texts about families and what have you, so when he mentions it, I think it’s kind of taken the same way by the rest of the league.”
— Jaden Hicks (@JadenHicks11) August 29, 2024
Mathieu’s conversation with Veach wasn’t about specifics regarding either of their teams, but it was an interesting moment realizing the lines of communication remain open.