Veach Turned Chiefs’ Draft Nightmare Into ‘Fields’ of Dreams

Veach’s 2022 draft class was a work of art, but it wasn’t perfect. His third selection that year, Moore at 54th overall, didn’t live up to expectations – a clear miss. So, in August, Veach dealt Moore to the 49ers for San Francisco’s sixth-round selection in the 2027 draft.

Unlike the Chiefs, Moore wound up in the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season since Veach drafted him (Kansas City missed the postseason for the first time since 2014). The wide receiver from Western Michigan wound up finding a niche as a valuable 49ers return man, then left last week to sign as an unrestricted free agent with Green Bay.

The 49ers’ half of the Moore deal is done. Kansas City’s portion, however, is just beginning.

A new beginning

And the beginning of the season, should Patrick Mahomes fall shy of 100 percent in his return from December knee surgery, is where the Chiefs can really cash in dividends. Fields presents a much better early season starting option for Kansas City than what the team had under contract prior to the trade, Jake Haener and Chris Oladokun.

Veach this week used that sixth-round selection in next year’s draft to acquire Fields from the Jets. It was minimal cost and came with a fantastic financial deal. The Chiefs acquired his contract but will reportedly pay Fields just $3 million of the $10 million he’s guaranteed this season. The Jets, who signed him to a two-year, $40 million contract a year ago, will cover the remaining $7 million.

Compare that to the Chiefs' 2025 backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who just signed a one-year deal with Arizona worth up to $8 million.

Veach did his part, but Andy Reid is now on the hook. Reid, who turned 68 on Thursday and enters the year as the league’s oldest head coach, would also be its wisest if he commits to using packages with Fields, especially in short yardage.

The Chiefs swallowed their pride last season and converted second-round selection Kingsley Suamataia from a failed tackle into a phenomenal guard. Now, they have the opportunity to recoup similar returns for missing on Moore.

Ideal scenario for Fields

Imagine the time opponent defenses would need to take out of their practice preparations to account for Mahomes and Fields. Suddenly, the quarterback sneak would be back in the Chiefs’ offense – they haven’t run it since Mahomes dislocated his kneecap in 2019 – and even Kenneth Walker could feed off Fields.

Last season with Fields as New York’s starter, Jets running back Breece Hall averaged 4.7 yards per carry (745 yards on 159 attempts) and 5.5 yards per touch (1,015 yards, 183 touches). Over the other six games, Hall averaged only 3.8 yards per carry (320 yards, 84 attempts) and 4.2 yards per touch (400 yards, 96 touches).

And remember, Fields reportedly chose Kansas City over other teams that wanted him. He obviously understands how he complement Mahomes and the Chiefs. The better question is whether Reid, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and the Chiefs understand how Fields can complement them. Can they trade wins for watching Mahomes trot to the sidelines on occasional third and fourth downs?

Fields doesn’t have to be Taysom Hill over the rest of his NFL career, but if he can fill a similar role over his lone season in Kansas City, the sky’s the limit (no pun intended).