Chiefs GM Brett Veach: Trading Tyreek Hill 'incredibly difficult' but 'necessary'

As of Wednesday morning, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was part of a high-powered Kansas City Chiefs passing attack that seemingly had the goods to torch any opponent. By the afternoon hours, the Chiefs had traded the six-time Pro Bowler with three First-Team All-Pro nods on his resume to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for five draft assets, including the No. 29 pick in next month's player-selection process. 

The Dolphins then turned around and signed Hill to a four-year, $120 million extension that reportedly includes $72.2 million in guaranteed money. 

Hours after reports of the transaction first emerged, the Chiefs confirmed the trade via a release. 

"It's hard to put into words what Tyreek has meant to Chiefs Kingdom over the last six years," general manager Brett Veach said in the statement. "He's a special player, one of the best in franchise history. He's been a large part of our success, including our Super Bowl championship run. This decision was incredibly difficult, but we felt it was a necessary move in the best interest of the team, and also for Tyreek. We wish him the best as he continues his career."

Meanwhile, head coach Andy Reid added: 

"I am happy for Tyreek, he has grown as a man and player here in Kansas City. Myself, my staff and our organization appreciate all he did for our team. This move will also benefit the Chiefs, we now have cap space and additional draft picks to grow as a football team. I wish him well as he moves forward."

The business of the NFL rarely, if ever, leaves room for sentimentality. One day after stories surfaced saying the Chiefs were signing former first-round draft pick Corey Coleman, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk and others noted Kansas City was set to meet with former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.