HE HAS TO LEAVE NOW: Strength Factor, Patrick Mahomes Nears 30, GM Brett Veach Vows to Reshape Future.
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made headlines Thursday morning with a bold declaration that sent shockwaves through the NFL world: “He has to leave now.” While Veach was not referring to superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who turns 30 next year, the cryptic statement was directed at what he labeled a “strength factor holding the team back” — a yet-unnamed veteran whose presence, he believes, no longer aligns with the Chiefs’ long-term strategy.
Veach’s comment came during a media session focused on the team’s future plans, where he emphasized that Mahomes’ upcoming milestone birthday plays a key role in the urgency to maximize the remaining prime years of his career.
“Patrick’s about to be 30. We’re not in rebuild mode — we’re in legacy mode,” Veach said. “That means tough decisions. If someone’s presence isn’t elevating our strength as a whole, he has to go. Simple as that.”
Speculation is already swirling about which veteran player Veach was referencing. Some insiders point toward aging offensive linemen or inconsistent wide receivers who failed to produce consistently in 2024. Others suggest it could even be a long-tenured defensive leader who has fallen out of sync with the evolving team identity.
Regardless of who the target is, Veach made it clear that sentimentality has no place in the front office moving forward. “Patrick’s not going to be in his prime forever,” he said. “We owe it to him — and this franchise — to build the strongest unit possible.”
The Chiefs, fresh off a playoff exit that fell short of their Super Bowl expectations, appear ready to make aggressive roster changes. One thing is certain: Kansas City’s front office has sent a message — the future is now, and no one is untouchable.
