Chiefs GM Brett Veach explains decision to cut standout DE Tim Ward
Reducing a roster from 90 to 53 players is always tough for NFL teams, but Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach had a particularly tall task this year. Not only is the team expected to make another run at the Lombardi trophy this season, but the sheer amount of talent on the roster in the preseason left Veach with no easy cuts when Tuesday’s deadline arrived.
The Chiefs’ perfect record in the preseason was a testament to the exceptional team they assembled in the offseason. The improvement on defense in their three exhibition games was due in no small part to several of the players they released in recent weeks. Former first-round pick Taco Charlton was the first big name to see his time with the Chiefs come to an abrupt end before the team’s matchup against Minnesota last week, which was the canary in the coalmine on the defensive line heading into final cuts.
Tim Ward, who accrued three sacks in Kansas City’s three-game preseason, seemed like a lock to make the Chiefs’ roster this season. Veach explained the decision to cut Ward in comments to the media Wednesday in a press conference after cuts were announced. He told reporters that it wasn’t an easy call, and didn’t seem surprised that Ward was one of the first players claimed via waiver.
“Tim (Ward) had a great camp,” Veach said of the second-year lineman, “In regard to his play and production he can only line up there and play against the guy that is lined up against him. He took advantage of that and certainly other teams noticed. I know the Jets claimed him and they were certainly up there on the waiver wire, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there were actually other teams that put in for him too and did get to him. I think it’s a combination of being committed to keeping 10 linemen, four tight ends so it comes down to the play and consistency of a player like (Jody) Fortson, guys like (Daurice) Fountain and then stacking them all up together and just saying now moving forward where are we and how can they contribute not just on gameday, but on special teams.”
Positional versatility is at an all-time premium for Kansas City, and the move to cut Ward was proof that they’re serious about getting production from all players on the roster, not just their stars. Veach said he wishes nothing but the best for Ward’s time with the Jets, and emphasized how hard it was to whittle the roster down to 53 players.
“It was definitely a tough decision,” Veach said of the final cuts, “He (Ward) certainly had a case to be on this team and again other teams took notice of that too. It comes down to guys like Fountain, guys like Fortson and then Chris Lammons is another guy that is one of the better gunners in the league too. Again, tough decisions. There were a couple of guys, if I had to guess, a couple of guys that will probably get claimed, Tim would’ve been right there at the top of the list. We talked about that last night too, so I don’t think we thought we would get him through because usually offensive linemen and defensive linemen are the first guys to go. Every team wants to keep as many as they can, so that wasn’t surprising that he got claimed. Happy for him and hope it works out well in New York.”
Kansas City will rely on veteran Alex Okafor, second-year end Mike Danna and rookie Joshua Kaindoh as backups behind their star pass rushers on the defensive line. While the decision to cut Ward certainly wasn’t easy, the Chiefs were unlikely to carry six defensive ends and still have depth elsewhere to compete at a high level.
List
Tracking Chiefs' 16-man practice squad additions
