How Brett Veach Was Discovered By Andy Reid

Veach played running back and wide receiver at the University of Delaware (his quarterback, not coincidentally, was current Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy). Because of his college playing experience, Reid had his young intern produce reports on the Eagles’ receivers.

Right away, Reid saw something in Veach.

“He pulled me aside one day and said, ‘Usually this track gets into coaching,” said Veach. “He said, ‘I kind of see a different sense of excitement when I have you do scouting stuff as opposed to some coaching stuff.’ He kind of bounced it off of me. He said, ‘iI you want to get into scouting, I think you'd have a good eye for it.’”

Veach recalled putting together scouting reports on players like wide receiver DeSean Jackson and running back LeSean McCoy. Not exactly unknown sleeper prospects, but Veach was pleased with how both players developed in accordance with his scouting reports. He specifically cited the Jackson and McCoy reports as examples that convinced Reid he knew what he was doing.

“I was honored that I had a legendary coach ask me to do certain things because he valued my opinion,” Veach said. “I think it was that self-motivating force behind me. His desire to see me flourish in scouting really motivated me to commit to it.

“Obviously, I'm glad I did.”

Scouting is one thing, but being a general manager in the NFL requires so much more — mastering the salary cap, negotiating contracts and roster building, to name a few of the key qualifications.

In addition to Reid’s guidance, Veach was grateful for the mentorship of Joe Banner, who was the Eagles’ team president during his time in Philadelphia. Of course, once Veach switched to the scouting department there, he also worked closely with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.

“Once you start down that road, you realize that it's really not just scouting players,” Veach said. “There's so much more to it. Joe had a large part in that.

“Joe was a big guiding force for me along with Howie. Those guys were always welcoming and accommodating to me. Even when I was a young scout, I remember … going to training camp and Joe pulling me aside and talking me through things.”

While Reid’s legacy in the NFL is firmly set, Veach is building an impressive resume himself. Veach didn’t become GM until three months after the Chiefs drafted Mahomes in 2017, but he still is responsible for drafting so many of the players that have been key contributors to the team’s success. Veach’s 2022 draft class might be an all-time list. Buoyed with multiple picks acquired in the Tyreek Hill trade, the class includes six players who are starting in Super Bowl LIX, including Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis and Isiah Pacheco.

“I think it always starts with someone believing in you,” said Veach, “and I just had the right people believing in me.”

Suffice it to say, Reid isn’t the only one who believes in Veach these days.