Executives continue to make low-risk, high-reward deals in pursuit of another Super Bowl title

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs general manager Brett Veach isn’t averse to making moves he believes will help his team win.

Especially those with low risk and high reward.

Although the two-time defending Super Bowl champions were, and remain, the NFL’s only remaining undefeated as they head into Monday night’s game against Tampa Baythe chiefs office knew they could do better.

Probable season-ending injuries to their top two wide receivers left Patrick Mahomes with a bunch of apprentices along with Travis Kelce, while the pass rush was only marginal when it should have been exceptional thanks to an injury in the secondary.

Veach took care of the first problem by trading a conditional fifth-round draft pick to the Titans for DeAndre Hopkinsthree-time All-Pro wide receiver. He turned to the second last week with a sixth-round pick in 2026 Patriots for Josh Uchea 2020 second-round pick with linebacker leanings.

“I think there’s always room to get better,” Veach said of his roster philosophy after training camp ended, “and I think we wouldn’t be doing our job if we weren’t constantly combing the waiver wire and the surgery.”

Or work the phones in the middle of the season to get a deal.

Three years ago, the Chiefs traded lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the Jets amid a series of moves that ultimately led to them passing on rusher Melvin Ingram. Two years ago, third- and sixth-rounders were sent to the Giants for wide receiver Kadarius Toney. And last season, wide receiver Mekole Hardman became the Jets’ sixth-rounder and seventh-round pick.

Each of these deals helped the Chiefs reach at least the AFC title. They have led to Super Bowl rings the last two years.

And while neither Toney, who was sidelined before this season, nor Hardman will ever be considered game-changing stars, both were instrumental in capturing those two Lombardi Trophies. Toney caught a pass against the Eagles for a touchdown and minutes later returned a punt 65 yards for another score in a 38-35 victory. Last February, Hardman had the game-winning touchdown against the 49ers in overtime.

Now, Hopkins and Uche have to deliver to Kansas City.

Hopkins wasted no time in wowing Chiefs fans last week, catching a pair of passes for 29 yards and playing nearly a third of their snaps against Las Vegas, despite having just two practices since being traded to Tennessee.

It’s not just that he’s helping a team that lost Marquise Brown and Rasha Rice to injuries. The thing is, his skill set is a perfect fit for the Chiefs, who needed a veteran with a long catch radius to help in two separate areas: the red zone, where they take too many field goals, and the coverage teams are using. against them

“He is a good football player. I think being able to fit in with the bigger numbers will be even better as we move forward,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “He chewed on the sideline a little bit, wanting to play and at the same time knowing he didn’t have everything, so there was patience, but he was in the game and I think you’ll be able to see more in the next game.”

Uche will spend three practices under his guidance in Kansas City before taking the field with the Chiefs on Monday night.

He’s not expected to play as big a role as Hopkins on defense, instead rotating with pass rushers like George Karlaftis and Felix Anoudike-Uzoma, but he gives coordinator Steve Spagnuolo another option to pressure the quarterback — important considering season-ending injury to cornerback Jalen Watson.

“I mean, it helps the secondary, any pressure you can put on the quarterback,” Reid said. “It will also be a good addition in the future. We understand that if you take care of the business in advance, it helps everyone.”

Even better, two recent acquisitions cost Kansas City inexpensively.

The Chiefs only had to send a fifth-round pick to Tennessee for Hopkins. And while he could be a fourth-rounder if he plays 60% of the snaps and the Chiefs make the Super Bowl, it’s still a small price to pay to get back to the big game.

The Titans are also paying a portion of Hopkins’ salary, and the Chiefs have no financial commitment beyond this year.

The sixth round pick they sent to the Patriots for Uche was an even bigger deal. He’s also set to become a free agent, and if Uche signs with another partner after the season, the Chiefs will likely receive a compensatory pick — essentially trading a sixth-rounder for a seventh-rounder while getting a pass rusher who could help them win more one first

“I wanted to get as much strength as possible from the game. When I was traded — or I heard I was being traded — here, I was excited,” Uche said this week, “because I feel like this scheme, this team, this organization is definitely going to help me maximize my potential as a 26-year-old. and I’m just excited.”

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