Tag: general manager

Chiefs GM Brett Veach reached a career milestone after Week 4 victory over the Chargers

Kansas City #Chiefs general manager Brett Veach reached a career milestone after Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles #Chargers | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs continued their winning ways on Sunday, winning 17-10 over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters during his weekly Monday Zoom press conference, congratulating general manager Brett Veach on his 200th win as an NFL front office member.

“Yeah, Brett (Veach) done a phenomenal job with the personnel, and we appreciate the energy that he brings every day, and the players, they see that, and they see the competition and depth that we have on the team and how Brett goes about his business,” said Reid. “So, Pat (Patrick Mahomes) ended up presenting him with the game ball. And it’s saying something when a player does that more than the front office or the coach. So I think that he’s got that respect.”

Veach has been a member of the Chiefs’ front office since 2013, starting as a Pro and college personnel analyst. He was promoted to co-director of player personnel in 2015 and eventually to general manager in 2017.

“That’s a tough position to be in because you’re not only bringing guys in but also letting guys go,” said Reid. “So you can be a good cop and a bad cop, and it’s a tough position to balance. But he’s very real with people, and how he goes about his business there, so he has. He’s gonna let you know the where and why of what he does.”

Veach will likely be busy this week making moves to adjust the roster after starting wide receiver Rashee Rice’s knee injury.

Former Chiefs Pro Bowler texted Brett Veach praising rookie Jaden Hicks’ performance

Former Kansas City #Chiefs Pro Bowler Tyrann Mathieu texted Brett Veach praising rookie Jaden Hicks’ performance | @EdEastonJr

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.”

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.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach reveals thoughts on cutting Louis Rees-Zammit

Kansas City #Chiefs general manager Brett Veach reveals thoughts on cutting Louis Rees-Zammit | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs parted ways with plenty of prospects due to roster cuts as they reshaped their roster for the 2024 season.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke with reporters on Thursday via Zoom about the decision to cut former Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit.

“We kept it open; we wanted the kid to really look at maybe some different opportunities as well. It’s pretty remarkable when you think about a player that doesn’t have any pro-American football experience. No middle school, no high school, no big-time college experience.” said Veach. “We were kind of thinking about it going through camp. Imagine not having any sort of foundational background, just being thrown in and doing one-on-one pass-pros with a Drue Tranquill or a Nick Bolton. I mean, that’s pretty incredible.”

Rees-Zammit played in all three preseason games, showing his versatility in different positions. Veach took notice but potentially didn’t see his development working in time to make the roster.

“Running back, maybe a big slot receiver, I think he does have some potential as a returner. I’m not sure he couldn’t be a kicker,” said Veach. “I mean, he had an outstanding leg, and with this new rule, he can do some different things, provide some versatility.”

Rees-Zammit wasn’t a free agent for long as he landed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Veach believes it has much to do with the international influence.

“I think the Jacksonville thing, and their relationship overseas and what that brings to the table, going overseas twice a year,” said Veach. “I think that was probably something that interested him, phenomenal kid, phenomenal worker, and again, just thinking back on the tremendous amount of progress he made in a short amount of time, I think he’ll continue to grow and develop, and I think he found a really good spot there in Jacksonville.”

Rees-Zammit’s time with the Chiefs was brief, but it was enough for him to land with another team. The Chiefs are building for an immediate three-peat, and the roster is primed with Super Bowl aspirations.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach reflects on Kadarius Toney’s tenure: ‘We’re certainly disappointed’

Kansas City #Chiefs GM Brett Veach reflects on Kadarius Toney’s tenure: ‘We’re certainly disappointed’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing their team for next Thursday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, with new players replacing departed talent due to roster cuts.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach addressed the decision to release wide receiver Kadarius Toney earlier during Thursday’s Zoom press conference.

“I mean, look, I think we’re certainly disappointed. I think he’s disappointed. We really like the kid, and I know that people could have different takes on Kadarius, but I know in this building, he’s a bright kid.” said Veach. “He’s a smart kid. I think when you look back on it, some of the stuff is, is a stroke of bad luck in regards to some of the injuries you can’t control, like walking out the first day of training camp last year and tearing his MCL.”

Toney was hampered by multiple injuries, including knee surgery at the start of training camp, finishing the 2023 season with 169 yards and a touchdown on 27 receptions.

“I mean, that was just unfortunate. Some of the things I think that we talked about were sometimes you can make some bad luck turn into good luck by just doing some little things in the offseason, such as taking care of your body,” said Veach. “I think that’s a process he’s working through, and again, it’s certainly not for a lack of talent, and that’s a situation where I think when you move on from players like that, I think everyone feels disappointed.”

Toney played 13 games, starting two last season, dealing with ankle injuries and a torn MCL from training camp.

“As far as our relationship with the kid, I really like the kid. I don’t think that we’ve seen the end of him, and I think he’ll have a chance,” said Veach. “I think if he’s able to tighten up, you know, some of the offseason stuff and get his body right, I think he’ll go out there and make a ton of plays for another team.”

Toney was traded to the Chiefs from the New York Giants on October 27, 2022, in exchange for a third and a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Veach fielded questions regarding possible regrets for making the deal to acquire the speedy receiver.

“I don’t think we’re sitting here going for a third straight Super Bowl. Had we not made that trade,” said Veach. “So from that standpoint, do it all over again in a heartbeat. I think it’s always disappointing when a player’s tenure ends in that situation, meaning you will have players that the age catches up to them. You’ll have players where maybe it’s a really serious injury, and then you’ll have players that you move on from where the talent just wasn’t there. So I think when you have to move on from a player, and the full product, or the finished product, or untapping all that talent wasn’t realized, there’s a disappointment.”

The Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster earlier in the week, possibly as an indication that they weren’t planning to move forward with Toney in 2024.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach thanks former franchise QB: ‘He established a winning tradition’

Kansas City #Chiefs GM Brett Veach thanks former QB Alex Smith: ‘He established a winning tradition’ | @EdEastonJr

One of the highlights of training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs this year was the appearance of former quarterback Alex Smith.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was one of Smith’s guests for the SiriusXM Town Hall from training camp on Tuesday. He used his time to give thanks to Smith, who started 76 games for the Chiefs from 2013-2017.

“I know he’s too humble, but are any of us here right now if it’s not for this guy right here?” said Veach. “He established a winning tradition and a culture, and I mean in this league, it’s so hard to have success and sustained success.”

The Chiefs traded for Smith in the 2013 offseason, and Andy Reid named him the starter shortly after he took over as head coach. In five seasons as the starter in Kansas City, Smith won 50 games and threw for over 17,000 yards and 102 touchdowns against 33 interceptions.

“I don’t think any of us are here, including the guys you see on the field right now, if this guy didn’t come in here and do what he did and really paved the way for all of us,” said Veach. “So thank you, Alex, for everything.”

Since retiring, Smith has enjoyed a growing career in media and continues to be a welcomed face whenever he’s around Kansas City.

Curtis Lofton officially promoted to general manager of Oklahoma football

The former star linebacker is now officially the new general manager for the Sooners.

Nothing says 2024 in college football like the term general manager that is popping up at programs across the country. Previously only really seen at the professional ranks in sports, it’s one more thing that is different in the new world of college athletics.

The Oklahoma Sooners football program officially has one of its own in Norman. [autotag]Curtis Lofton[/autotag], who played linebacker for [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] in the mid-2000s, was officially promoted to general manager of the Oklahoma football program. Expected for some time, it is an agenda item on the Board of Regents meeting scheduled for Friday.

Lofton is the director of the Sooners’ S.O.U.L. Mission, and is set to earn quite the pay increase, going from $101,500 to $300,000 per year.

George Stoia of SoonerScoop and On3 took to social media to deliver the news.

Lofton was named general manager in February and has been performing GM duties for months. He becomes the first general manager in OU’s history, and the job will evolve as the landscape of college sports takes shape in the future.

But it’s clear that Venables decided he needed a full-time GM to help with roster management and other aspects of the program. It’s a move that, just like everything other Venables move, is being made to help the Sooners compete in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] and compete for national championships.

Venables was extremely complimentary of his former player in the lead up to spring practice.

“Curtis has been doing what he has been doing in the last couple of years. He’s been fantastic, S.O.U.L. Mission as a whole is fantastic, and remember, S.O.U.L. Mission isn’t just one job. It’s, again, holistic development. And they’re leaders, they’re mentors, they’re recruiters, they’re therapists, they’re competitors. And Curtis brings a lot to the table. The same things he did as a player, now he’s using those transferable skills as a leader in our program. So, he’s been fantastic.”

Lofton was a great player for the Sooners for three seasons from 2005-2007, earning consensus All-American honors in his final year. During his 2007 junior season, the linebacker totaled 157 tackles, with 10 1/2 tackles for loss. He had three interceptions and a fumble recovery, giving him a pair of defensive touchdowns. Lofton was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year that season.

Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman also reported the news on social media, adding the pay bump for Football Operations Administrator [autotag]Woody Glass[/autotag]. His salary will increase from $310,000 annually to $350,000 annually.

Glass’ position is essentially a chief of staff role. He joined the staff in 2022 as special assistant to the head coach before being promoted to his current position last year. Glass replaced [autotag]Thad Turnipseed[/autotag], who resigned from his position in June of 2023.

Clear leadership will be important in the brave new world of the SEC and the shifting sands of college football. Current players and future recruits will want to know who’s running the show. The Oklahoma Sooners have their leaders in place going into all of the changes. Venables, Lofton, Glass, athletic director [autotag]Joe Castiglione[/autotag] and university president [autotag]Joseph Harroz[/autotag] are the faces of a new era of Sooner football.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach says Travis Kelce is a ‘unicorn’ after contract extension

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach told reporters that Travis Kelce is a “unicorn” after re-working his contract this week.

The announcement of the Kansas City Chiefs extending the contract of Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce all but ensured that he would finish his career with the franchise. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach decided to get the deal done shortly after the NFL draft and at the start of the second phase of OTAs.

News of Kelce’s deal broke early Monday afternoon, and Veach held a press conference to address the extension and other matters.

“Congratulations to Travis Kelce on his contract adjustment, [he] just signed it here a few minutes ago,” Veach said. “[It is] hard to put into words what Travis means to this organization in this city, and he was certainly a priority to justice contract for us, and it was important for Clark [Hunt]. It is very fitting that Travis is now the highest-paid tight end. Again, [it is] just a really special day and moment for this organization to once again recognize arguably one of the greatest tight ends ever to do it.”

The timing of the announcement was shocking as, typically, teams are negotiating with their newly drafted rookies, but Veach explained the specialty of Kelce to the organization.

“Travis is an outlier here. I think we all know that. When you talk about Travis and his career and his legacy here. This is something we just wanted to knock right out of the park early on.”

Kelce turns 35 in October, and it’s uncommon for most position players, aside from quarterbacks or kickers, to be effective late in their careers; Veach believes the Pro Bowl tight end is a unicorn.

“Well, I mean, now and then, you have one of these guys that are better outliers,” Veach explained. “Certainly, Travis is one of those players. It’s funny; it’s not even me yet. Today, we had a chance to get out there and phase two. And guys were out there running around. And Travis was the first guy in line, and I mean, he looked like he was 28 years old. I mean, the odds of someone playing this far into the 30s are very low, but it does happen and happens with just unicorns in the profession.

“Travis is one of those, and we’ll certainly celebrate this with him, and hopefully, we can ride this thing even longer. We’ll have to wait and see, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down, and everyone you know notices the kind of postseason he had. He just found that extra gear and the special ones. The special players are always able to find that extra gear, and again, if anybody can do it, Travis can.”

Kelce is entering season twelve of his career with Kansas City and should be assured that he will remain there as long as he chooses to keep playing.

Chiefs sign HC Andy Reid, GM Brett Veach, President Mark Donovan to extensions

The #Chiefs extended the contracts of Head Coach Andy Reid, General Manager Brett Veach, and team President Mark Donovan on Monday night.

Just days before the 2024 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs signed head coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach, and team president Mark Donovan to contract extensions.

The move comes after Kansas City secured its second-consecutive championship in Super Bowl LVIII with a win over the San Francisco 49ers back in February.

In a statement sent to the press, the Chiefs emphasized the importance of Reid, Veach, and Donovan in their front office, pointing to the accomplishments that the trio have been able to achieve:

“Together since 2017, Donovan, Veach, and Reid have overseen a Chiefs team which has gone 100-34 (.746) (reg. & postseason combined), claiming seven consecutive AFC West Division Championships, four AFC Championships, and three Super Bowl Championships,” the team wrote. “The club has been in six-consecutive AFC Championship Games including hosting an NFL record five-straight (2018-2022).”

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Clark Hunt’s decision to keep these three key figures in Kansas City for the foreseeable future should prove to help the Chiefs sustain their dynasty as the team looks to continue winning Super Bowls for years to come.

Courtney Morgan officially named Alabama football’s General Manager

Though it has been known for quite some time, Courtney Morgan has officially been introduced as Alabama’s general manager.

Though he was on the same flight as Alabama athletic director and new football head coach Kalen DeBoer, Courtney Morgan has just now been officially announced as the program’s new general manager.

The official release from the university states that,

“Morgan will be tasked with managing the Crimson Tide’s roster while overseeing and directing the daily operations of both the personnel and recruiting departments. He will help organize the head coaches film evaluations and prospect communication while also organizing transfer portal evaluations. Morgan is also tasked with supervising internal brand management for Alabama football.”

Morgan is no stranger to how DeBoer likes to run a program, as he has been with him for a number of years, serving in the same role during the head coach’s time in Washington, Fresno State and San Jose State back in 2019.

DeBoer speaks very highly of Morgan,

“Courtney is such an important part of our program,” DeBoer said. “He has great relationships across the country and is an essential part of helping us recruit and evaluate talent both at the high school level and in the transfer portal. Courtney is an important pillar in what we are trying to accomplish at Alabama, and I am very excited to be able to bring him to Tuscaloosa.”

On his role within the Alabama program, Morgan is very serious about advancing the best interests of the Crimson Tide and adhering to DeBoer’s system.

“I love working for Coach DeBoer and I am looking forward to continuing the standard that Alabama football has set,” Morgan said. “Everyone on this staff has the same common goal, and we believe in Coach DeBoer’s process of what it takes to win. Trust and hard work are such an important part of success and I’m always ready to go to work and I completely trust Coach DeBoer approach to building a program.”

Expect to see Morgan involved heavily on the recruiting trails as staff member who will build connections and establish relationships with recruits and their families, as well as working with players on the roster.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news throughout the 2024 offseason.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Where Mickey Loomis ranks among the NFL’s 10 longest-tenured general managers

How Mickey Loomis compares among the NFL’s 10 longest-tenured general managers in win percentage, playoff records, and championships:

Mickey Loomis has been calling shots for the New Orleans Saints for a long time. There isn’t another general manager — or at least no one who share that title — who has held the job as long as he has in pro football. But how much more experience does he have than his peers?

Sure, there are de facto GM’s like Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown, but they ceded personal control to trusted assistants years ago. At the end of the day Loomis is involved with every decision the Saints make in free agency and on draft day, either okaying the suggestions of his staff or making the call himself. With contemporaries like Bill Belichick and Kevin Colbert leaving storied franchises the Saints try to emulate, Loomis is left alone.

And the gap between him and the next generation of GM’s around the league is staggering. Here’s how Loomis stacks up among the NFL’s 10 longest-tenured executives: