Brett Veach is no stranger to a reunion with an old friend when it comes to roster construction. Past seasons have brought familiar faces back into the fold when roster needs have surfaced—from Mecole Hardman to Kareem Hunt. If preseason trends continue, another former Chiefs player might be available to re-sign, should Veach deem it appropriate.
It felt like a solid signing when the New York Jets added defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi to their front line to aid their run defense. However, with the majority of the preseason schedule already wrapped, Nnadi’s chances of making the team are trending in the wrong direction.
The Jets were already waiting to play Nnadi during preseason games until fringe roster players were also getting time beside him on defense. On Wednesday, the Jets basically sealed his fate with the trade for Jowon Briggs.
It’s quite unlikely but Brett Veach likes a reunion.
The Jets officially sent a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Briggs and a seventh-round selection. Essentially, Cleveland knew they would have to cut Briggs due to depth across the d-line, so they decided to get what they could for him in a swap of draft assets.
This means Nnadi, who was a third-round pick for the Chiefs in 2018, is on the outside looking in unless a series of injuries occur at the position, which means the veteran defensive lineman is likely going to find himself looking for a new team after roster cuts are due on August 26.
The Chiefs watched Nnadi leave in free agency to the Jets this spring and replaced him by signing former Chargers DT Jerry Tillery to a one-year deal. They further bolstered the position in the draft with a second-round choice of Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee). Next to them on the depth chart are Mike Pennel and, of course, Chris Jones.
Unless the Chiefs want to actually carry a fifth tackle and think Nnadi would fare better than Fabien Lovett or Marlon Tuipulotu, it’s hard to imagine the band getting back together. If so, Nnadi might have a hard time finding work for a seventh NFL season.
