Chiefs GM Brett Veach on trading with AFC rivals: ‘Asking prices are a tick higher’

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach told reporters that trading with Kansas City’s AFC rivals is difficult because “asking prices are a tick higher”

The Kansas City Chiefs’ success over the past few seasons has been partly due to decisions the team has made in the offseason. Their front office, led by general manager Brett Veach, has found ways to reshape the roster around its stars to maintain its supremacy, and the rest of the league has taken notice.

During a press conference on Friday, Veach spoke openly about the Chiefs’ mindset heading into the draft next week and revealed that doing business with every team in the league isn’t easy due to Kansas City’s status as Super Bowl champions.

“I think that if it can benefit them (another team), I think they’re always going to pick up the phone and call and be willing to work,” Veach explained. “I don’t think a team will diminish their ability to do something they really want to do just because it’s the Chiefs.

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“I do think that the ability to deal with certain teams it’s always been understood that if you’re going to deal with the team in your division, there’s a little bit more of a premium. Still, I think just some of the AFC teams, in general, that are consistent playoff performers.”

The Chiefs have consistently had battles with rivals in the AFC on their way to three titles over the last five years. Veach understands that other teams take caution to avoid adding to Kansas City’s dominance in the offseason.

“The Buffalo (Bills) and the Cincinnati Bengals and [the] Baltimore (Ravens), it’s probably a little bit harder to deal with those teams,” Veach continued. “Even if they pick up the phone, I think some of their asking prices are a tick higher. So I think we get hit with a little more interest. I think that there’s always a way to make a deal, but I think certain teams will probably up the price a little bit.”

Kansas City’s dynasty will be remembered for the fantastic players that Veach and his staff have brought in over the years, and the classic games that have been won due to the Chiefs’ exceptional foresight in roster construction.

Former Saints All-Pro Deonte Harty signs with Ravens

Deonte Harty has found a new team. The former Saints All-Pro return man is signing with his hometown Ravens:

Deonte Harty has found a new team. The former New Orleans Saints All-Pro return specialist has signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, returning to his hometown.

Harty spent his first four seasons in the league with the Saints, primarily working as a returner for them. In 2019, Harty led the entire league with 338 punt return yards to go along with a return touchdown. These numbers ultimately led to Harty receiving All-Pro recognition in his very first season.

In 2021, Harty earned an increased role as a receiver in the New Orleans offense, specifically as a deep threat option for Jameis Winston. Harty hit career-high numbers that season with 36 catches for 570 yards and three touchdowns.

However, an injury-plagued season in 2022 led to a parting of ways, but Harty was able to rebound when signing with the Buffalo Bills. Harty was active in 16 games for the Bills last year, providing a spark to their special teams unit, but he was let go as a salary cap casualty this offseason. With the Ravens’ departure of receiver/returner Devin Duvernay, Harty should be able to find himself literally right at home in Baltimore.

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Another free agent offensive lineman visited the Seahawks this week

According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN, former Colts and Bills guard Ike Boettger visited the team on Monday.

The Seahawks have been very busy the last couple of weeks bringing in free agent offensive linemen for visits. Yesterday the team added former Rams and Lions tackle Max Pircher. Meanwhile, veterans Greg Van Roten, Lucas Patrick, Laken Tomlinson and Cody Whitehair have all been connected with Seattle. Now we have another potential signing to pass along.

According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN, former Colts and Bills guard Ike Boettger visited the team on Monday.

Boettger (6-foot-6, 313 pounds) played his college ball at Iowa and then went undrafted. Buffalo originally signed him in 2018 and he played tackle as a backup his first couple seasons there. Boettger switched to left guard in 2020, earning 17 starts over the next two years. All together he played five seasons for the Bills then spent last year with the Colts.

If Seattle does sign him, Boettger would likely project as a left guard, where at the moment he wouldn’t have any competition to start.

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Chris Simms: Bills wouldn’t allow Stefon Diggs to seek a trade with Chiefs

Chris Simms told “Pro Football Talk” that the #Bills wouldn’t allow Stefon Diggs to seek a trade with the #Chiefs

The saga of exciting games between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have been must-watch events for the NFL. The stars on both sides have amazing games while remaining loyal to their side of the rivalry until possibly this offseason.

The Bills shocked the football world when it was announced that they had traded their top wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans earlier this week. Diggs, who had expressed his displeasure with the team at times during last season, was moved, but there appears to be more to the story, and it involves Kansas City.

Chris Simms and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk spoke on a recent podcast episode about an intriguing rumor that indicates Diggs was blocked from ever being dealt to the Chiefs.

“From what I do know, he was allowed to seek a trade from anybody in the league except the Kansas City Chiefs,” said Simms. “That’s what I’ve been told by multiple people that he was allowed to do that (and) the Chiefs were the only team they weren’t going to trade for him.

The Chiefs and Bills have had a fierce rivalry over the past few seasons, with Buffalo falling to Kansas City each year in their postseason meetings. Diggs being unable to pitch a deal to Kansas City sounds realistic but is another exciting chapter in the two teams’ competitive struggle for superiority in the AFC.

Former Bills and Patriots RB Damein Harris announces retirement from the NFL

Former Alabama RB Damien Harris issues statement announcing NFL retirement

It’s both a happy and sad day as former Alabama running back [autotag]Damien Harris[/autotag] has announced his retirement from the NFL after five seasons. Harris was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft (No. 87 overall) to the New England Patriots where he spent the first four years of his career before signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2023 season.

Granted they call it the Not For Long League, but five years is a good run for a back in the NFL. Harris started 34 of 44 career games and posted 2,188 career yards, 21 touchdowns and a career 4.6 yards per carry. He only appeared in one Playoff game with the Patriots back in 2021 where he had just nine carries for 30 yards.

During his time with Alabama though, he was a really special player and leader as he helped bring two national titles back to Tuscaloosa. Harris was never the only true feature back as he had to split time with Bo Scarbrough and Josh Jacobs over the years, but was always incredibly reliable when No. 34 was called. I would not be shocked to see Harris working for ESPN or something of that nature in the near future as he is a very strong and fun personality.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Taylor Swift explained football to comedian Jerrod Carmichael during the Chiefs postseason

Taylor Swift explained football to comedian Jerrod Carmichael during the #Chiefs’ playoff game against the #Bills.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ celebrity wing notably added music superstar Taylor Swift last season. Her presence could help Chiefs Kingdom grow, as she’s already started recruiting more famous friends to games.

During Wednesday’s interview with Jimmy Kimmel on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, comedian Jerrod Carmichael revealed his friendship and experience with Swift at this year’s divisional-round game against the Buffalo Bills.

“That’s my best friend. Taylor Swift is my best friend,” said Carmichael, explaining that the pop star invited him to sit in her suite in Buffalo for the game. “I’m not her best friend, but she’s my best friend.”

The infamous suite was showcased often throughout the game because Travis Kelce’s brother Jason celebrated shirtless and chugging beers with fans. Carmichael, who doesn’t typically follow football, says Swift taught him while watching the game.

“She knows more about football than I do,” Carmichael said, admitting Swift’s knowledgable explanation. “Yeah, I’m the girlfriend in that situation.”

The Swift and Carmichael connection was also visible at the Chiefs’ visit to Foxboro against the New England Patriots. So it’s almost safe to say the star of the upcoming HBO show ‘Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show’ could become the latest celebrity member of Chiefs Kingdom.

Former Chiefs DB Mike Edwards signs with Buffalo Bills

Former Kansas City #Chiefs safety Mike Edwards signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo #Bills.

The Kansas City Chiefs lose another member of their Super Bowl LVIII winning defense, with the latest departure coming from the secondary.

After publicly meeting with several teams at the start of free agency, Safety Mike Edwards officially joined the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday. The announcement was made on the Bills’ social media account, featuring a photo of Edwards ironically putting pen to paper with an image of him in a Chiefs uniform in the background.

The complete terms of the deal weren’t announced, but it was confirmed to be a one-season agreement with the 27-year-old.

During his lone season with the Chiefs, he collected one interception, two fumble recoveries, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, and 51 total tackles in 17 games, including five starts. The fumble recovery for a touchdown was memorable during the matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany. The six-year veteran was valuable to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s secondary depth.

The two-time Super Bowl champion will be an addition to a Bills unit that has gone through significant changes on defense this offseason. Kansas City could be in the market for adding in the secondary during next month’s NFL Draft.

Jaguars signing Bills WR Gabe Davis to 3-year deal

The Jaguars reportedly have a deal in place to add Gabe Davis to their wide receiving corps.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a deal in place to sign Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract when free agency begins Wednesday with incentives that could make it worth as much as $50 million, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Davis, who turns 25 in April, was a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft and caught 163 passes for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Bills.

Hints that the Jaguars were considering adding both Davis and former Bills center Mitch Morse came on Instagram where quarterback Trevor Lawrence followed both players over the weekend.

The question for now is whether Davis will fill in for the impending departure of Calvin Ridley, replace Zay Jones on the roster, or join both of those receivers in Jacksonville next season. The Jaguars could save nearly $4.2 million in salary cap space if they release Jones, who recorded only 321 receiving yards as he struggled through injuries for much of the 2023 season.

Davis finished the 2023 season with 45 receptions for 746 yards and seven touchdowns. His 16.6 yards per reception was the third highest of his career, but still ranked sixth most in the NFL.

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Jaguars signing C Mitch Morse to 2-year, $10.5 million contract

Two days before free agency starts, the Jaguars got to work ahead of time and added a new center.

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal with former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse that includes $7 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Morse, who turns 32 next month, began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs where Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was the team’s offensive coordinator. After four seasons in Kansas City, Morse joined the Bills in 2019 and played the next five years in Buffalo.

After the Bills released Morse as part of a series of moves made by the team to clear cap space, he first visited the Pittsburgh Steelers before traveling to visit the Jaguars.

In Jacksonville, he’ll likely be the team’s new starting center, replacing Luke Fortner in the role. A 2022 third-round pick, Fortner struggled in his second season and received a 44.3 grade from PFF, second worst in the NFL at the position ahead of only Giants rookie center John Michael Schmitz.

Earlier this month, the Jaguars re-signed guard Ezra Cleveland and restructured the contract of guard Brandon Scherff. With left tackle Cam Robinson also expected to return and 2023 first-rounder Anton Harrison at right tackle, Jacksonville appears to have its 2024 starting offensive line already put together.

As a player who was released rather than reaching free agency on an expired contract, Morse won’t count against the Jaguars’ compensatory draft pick formula in 2025.

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Former Bills C Mitch Morse reportedly visiting Jaguars

Free agent center Mitch Morse visited the Steelers and is reportedly headed to Jacksonville next.

Free agent center Mitch Morse is set to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Morse, who turns 32 in April, was released by the Buffalo Bills earlier this week as part of a series of roster moves by the team to clear salary cap space. He spent five seasons with the Bills after beginning his career with a four-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Prior to his visit with the Jaguars, Morse reportedly visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In each of his nine NFL seasons, Morse earned a grade above 61 from Pro Football Focus. Jaguars second-year center Luke Fortner received a grade of 44.3 in 2023.

While the Jacksonville offensive line struggled to clear space in the running game and didn’t do well at protecting Trevor Lawrence either, the team appears set to keep four of its five starters heading into the 2024 season. It looks like the Jaguars are considering adding a replacement for Fortner, though.

As a player who was released rather than becoming a free agent, Morse wouldn’t count against the compensatory pick formula in 2025.

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