These sneaky September deals prove Brett Veach knows exactly what he’s doing

Brett Veach has done some underrated work in September over the years. Once the dust has settled on roster cuts and the regular season gets underway, the Kansas City Chiefs general manager has an impressive history of bargain shopping. Some moves look minor early in the season, but they loom large when it counts the most.

Given that the regular season is underway in 2025, the Chiefs might want to take another look at the NFL's shelves to see who is available as injuries arise or roster issues surface. But before Veach adds to his transaction list, here are some of our favorite September additions since Veach became GM.

Ron Parker (2018)

Ron Parker was no stranger to the Chiefs as one of the greatest waiver claims in franchise history back when John Dorsey first took over as general manager in 2013. However, Parker had signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the summer of 2018 after five seasons in K.C. only to get cut before the regular season began.

Veach decided to bring him back on the cheap after he'd declined to take a pay cut earlier in the offseason. The veteran safety ended up starting 14 games with a seamless transition back into Bob Sutton's defense. The Chiefs saved $5M in cap space and still got their man.

Austin Reiter (2018)

For the years between Mitch Morse and Creed Humphrey at center, the Chiefs found a way to win despite going with discount options for multiple seasons. Austin Reiter was a big part of that, as a former waiver claim from the Cleveland Browns early in September before the 2018 season.

Reiter would play in 11 games and earn 4 starts in his first season, and Veach signed him to a two-year extension three months after his arrival. He'd become a starting center for a Super Bowl champion roster the next year. The Chiefs paid $6.2 million over three seasons and got 32 starts out of Reiter in the process.

Matthew Wright (2022)

Wright has been a trusted friend at key moments over the last few years when injuries robbed Harrison Butker of the chance to serve as the team's kicker. He joined the Chiefs as a practice squad addition in 2022, and ended up converting important field goal opportunities—including setting a franchise record (at the time) with a successful 59-yard attempt against the Raiders.

Kareem Hunt (2004)

The easiest autumnal find for Chiefs Kingdom to remember came last season when Veach found a way to reunite with Kareem Hunt after five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Hunt was sitting in free agency and readily available when Isiah Pacheco went down with a broken leg.

The Chiefs responded by trying out Hunt, who not only returned to the active roster but led the team in rushing yards last year. Not only was Hunt's return a heartwarming story off the field, but it made a definite impact for a team needing significant help in the backfield.