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What we learned from KC Chiefs GM Brett Veach on Wednesday night

Kansas City Chiefs v Dallas Cowboys Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach held a press conference Wednesday evening to address the team’s moves in free agency now that the league year has officially begun.

Prior to Wednesday at 3 p.m. Arrowhead Time, the Chiefs were not able to announce any signings or trades. Here’s Veach:

While the Chiefs have moved on from Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Ron Parker, they have yet to make anything official regarding punter Dustin Colquitt, who is now officially an unrestricted free agent.

Colquitt has a case for being the highest-paid punter in the league and I questioned whether he would be back in February. Veach saying he hopes to announce “something soon” sounds like a good sign.

Jumping backwards, Wednesday marked the first time Veach could discuss the Alex Smith trade that occurred in late January. The Chiefs traded Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins in exchange for a third-round pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller, who, like our own Seth Keysor, Veach praised.

Veach was also asked about the other trade.

These were Veach’s comments when asked about cornerback Marcus Peters, who the Chiefs sent to Los Angeles along with a sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2019 second-round pick and 2018 fourth-round pick:

(that’s if the official Chiefs statements weren’t telling enough)

Veach was sure to add that the trading of Peters had nothing to do with his national anthem protest.

When it came to free agency, Veach made it sound like he did not believe that wide receiver Sammy Watkins would be available.

In fact, the team had previously reached out to the Rams and Dallas Cowboys about Watkins and new linebacker Anthony Hitchens, respectively.

With Watkins signed, the Chiefs’ biggest need on offense is probably backup quarterback. Veach wants someone with experience to join Tyler Bray and Patrick Mahomes.

It looks like the Chiefs are moving forward with linebacker Dee Ford. We explained while he’ll likely be back for 2018 earlier Wednesday.

The Arizona Cardinals made a bit of a surprise move Wednesday when they released cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu will likely get paid handsomely for his services, but Veach is interested.

In case you’re curious:

And you can’t end a press conference without a good tease:

Night one of the NFL Draft is April 26.

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