No Joke: Veach’s Walk-Away Decisions Have Hit Gold

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Welcome to the 30th anniversary of the best April Fool’s joke of all-time.

In 1996, fast-food giant Taco Bell convinced the world it had purchased Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and planned to change the icon’s name to the Taco Liberty Bell.

Soon after, Brett Veach moved to Philadelphia as a coaching intern for Andy Reid. As the future general manager worked his way up the NFL ladder, he watched the Eagles allow Terrell Owens, Jeremiah Trotter, Derrick Burgess, Brian Dawkins, Lito Sheppard and Donovan McNabb to leave the team. Eagles fans certainly weren’t laughing about those decisions.

Fast forward two decades and Veach got the type of news that seemed like a modern-day April Fool’s prank, if it wasn’t two weeks too early. Veach had to feel some pain in his spleen when he watched Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook and Leo Chenal – four pillars in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense -- leave Kansas City.

watson mcduffi — Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) celebrates with cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

But while Veach’s internal organs might’ve protested, his mind won the day. That’s because Veach’s past decisions to allow players to walk away – or trade them away – have largely benefitted the Chiefs. Here's a quick glance at those decisions.

Orlando Brown, 2023

Mired in a contractual impasse, Brown wanted to finish his career in Kansas City. He played 2022 under the franchise tag but Veach chose not to repeat that route after the team beat Philadelphia in Super Bowl 57. Instead, Brown signed for a then-record $31 million guarantee as part of a four-year deal in Cincinnati. In three seasons since, the Bengals are 24-27 (.471). Cincinnati hasn’t played a postseason game since losing the 2022 AFC championship in a thriller at Arrowhead Stadium.

L’Jarius Sneed, 2024

The cornerback had 10 interceptions over his first four seasons with the Chiefs. He’s had zero since Veach traded him to Tennessee two years ago this week. Veach acquired two picks in the deal, one of which he used to draft Ashton Gillotte.

DeAndre Hopkins, 2025

Hopkins said in March he loved his brief time in Kansas City, helping the Chiefs advance to Super Bowl 59 after a trade-deadline deal. But Veach and his staff didn’t see enough in Hopkins to bring him back. He signed with Baltimore and managed just 22 catches for 330 yards with two touchdowns – all the lowest numbers of his career over a full season – and Baltimore missed the playoffs in 2025.

Tershawn Wharton, 2025

The defensive tackle seemed like a major loss when he left Kansas City to sign with Carolina. Hamstring and toe injuries limited Wharton to just nine games and two sacks in his first year with the Panthers.

Frank Clark, 2023

Arguably Veach’s worst decision as Chiefs general manager was acquiring Frank Clark in a trade-and-sign deal with Seattle. The edge rusher provided decent production for the Chiefs, but nothing worth the mammoth deal he signed in 2019. He wound up earning $4.47 million for each sack he posted in a Kansas City uniform. So, releasing Clark as a cap casualty in March 2023 was a much better call. Clark played for both the Broncos and Seahawks in 2023 but hasn’t played since. His last career sack and playoff game were in Kansas City.

Juan Thornhill, 2023

A second-round selection in the 2019 draft, Thornhill earned three Pro Bowl selections and helped the Chiefs advance to three Super Bowls, winning twice. Just as he did with Cook in March, Veach allowed his starting safety to leave in free agency. And after Thornhill signed with the Browns in 2023, then played with Jacksonville and Pittsburgh in 2025, he hasn’t played in a postseason game. He had eight interceptions with the Chiefs, but none since his departure.

thornhill, war — Jul 28, 2021; St. Joseph, MO, United States; Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Juan Thornhill (22) and cornerback Charvarius Ward (35) walk down the hill from the lower room to the fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Charvarius Ward, 2022

Veach acquired Ward from the Cowboys on the eve of his 2018 rookie season. The undrafted cornerback played a huge role in the Chiefs' defense from 2018-21 but six weeks before drafting McDuffie and Watson in 2022, Veach opted to let Ward leave in free agency. They saw each other again in Super Bowl 58, Ward’s fourth Super Bowl over a five-year stretch. The cornerback had a career-high five picks in 2023, but he wasn’t the same after he left Kansas City.