Chiefs GM Brett Veach on the value of practice squad players: 'We're going to rely on those guys'

The Kansas City Chiefs and every team must trim their rosters over the next few days before the regular season begins.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach joined the broadcast team on KMCI 38 The Spot during the start of the second quarter of Thursday’s game vs. the Chicago Bears for his annual conversation in the booth.

He addressed the mindset of handling the main roster and the value of putting together the practice squad.

“With our schedule, and hopefully every year we’re trying to play a 20-game season, you’re going to need those guys. And we don’t really look at these players as practice squad players. We just look at them as an extension of our roster.” said Veach. “A bunch of guys over the years that started out on the practice squad, whether it be Nazeeh Johnson or Jack Cochrane and last year, Matt Dickerson, so every year we’re going to rely on those guys.”

Veach and his front office staff will work with the coaching staff over the next few days to trim the roster. He appreciates the coaches’ support in making these decisions and getting the most out of potential practice squad candidates.

“We’ve just been fortunate that our coaching staff does a great job again,” said Veach, “Not just with the starters, but they do a great job of coaching up the young guys on the practice squad because it’s not a matter of if but when we’ll need them throughout the course of the season.”

The Chiefs could have several former practice squad players make this year’s regular season roster—a credit to the development and system built in Kansas City during the successful Super Bowl run.