Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game
Sweden has added Rickard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins to its roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, replacing the injured William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Swedish national team coach Sam Hallam confirmed the roster change on Tuesday. The team also recently brought in Philadelphia’s Samuel Ersson to take the spot of injured New Jersey goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
Rakell, 31, leads the Penguins with 23 goals and ranks second with 45 points in 53 games this season. Karlsson, who is out with a lower-body injury, is listed as week-to-week.
“‘Raks’ has just, quietly, had a really strong season,” said Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, who will also coach for the U.S. in the 4 Nations. “He’s playing the game the right way. He’s playing on both sides of the puck. He has a hardness to his game. He’s stiff on the puck.
He’s physical, he’s willing to block shots. He’s playing defense. The offensive side, everybody sees. But he’s committed to a lot of the subtleties that, on our mind, adds to winning. So, we couldn’t be happier for him. We think he’s so deserving.”
Finland, Sweden’s top international rival, made two replacements on its defense after Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen and Toronto’s Jani Hakanpää were ruled out. Heiskanen underwent knee surgery and is now considered month-to-month, according to Stars coach Peter DeBoer.
In response, Buffalo’s Henri Jokiharju and the New York Rangers’ Urho Vaakanainen were added to Finland’s roster.
The United States is also facing a few injury concerns. Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes and Columbus’ Zach Werenski are both banged up and missing game time.
Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)
“He’s not playing tonight,” said Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason about Werenski in Buffalo. “We’ll continue to evaluate same as we do with everybody that’s hurt or injured. We’ll evaluate it and move forward.”
Canucks coach Rick Tocchet confirmed that Hughes would miss Tuesday night’s game against Colorado after his team’s overtime loss on Monday.
Canada is still deciding on a replacement for Alex Pietrangelo, who withdrew from the tournament to address an injury and prepare for the rest of the season with Vegas. Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, a two-time Cup winner and a member of Canada’s 2014 Olympic team, is one of the top candidates to replace Pietrangelo, though Doughty has only just returned to play after recovering from a broken left ankle.
Practices for the NHL-run tournament will begin on Monday, with games starting next Wednesday, Feb. 12, Thursday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 15 in Montreal.
The round-robin play will finish in Boston, where the championship will take place. The 4 Nations is replacing the usual All-Star Weekend and is being held as a scaled-back version of the World Cup of Hockey, a year before the 2026 Milan Olympics.
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL game
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen had knee surgery in New York on Tuesday.
Before the Stars’ game against Anaheim on Tuesday night, coach Pete DeBoer told reporters that Heiskanen’s status is now “month to month,” which means he might be able to return later in the regular season or during the playoffs.
Heiskanen was set to play for Finland in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, but he was ruled out late last week.
Heiskanen was injured during the third period of the Stars’ 4-3 overtime win against Vegas on January 28. Mark Stone hit Heiskanen after falling toward his left knee and thigh when he got tripped. Stone was not fined or suspended for the incident.
Stone, who was penalized for tripping, said he did not mean to hurt Heiskanen. DeBoer, who coached Stone in Vegas, said he did not think Stone was a dirty player but questioned why officials didn’t review the play for a potential five-minute major penalty. There was a brief scuffle between the teams while Heiskanen was on the ice.
DeBoer mentioned that Heiskanen had an MRI on January 29.
Dallas Stars Fans Angry at Mark Stone Over Miro Heiskanen Injury
The 4 Nations tournament will take place from February 12-20 in Montreal and Boston. It’s the first international tournament with the NHL’s top players in nearly 10 years.
The Stars, who have made it to the Western Conference Final in each of the past two seasons, are on a five-game winning streak and have won seven of their last 10 games. They currently sit second in the Central Division, with Colorado and Minnesota trailing closely behind.
Heiskanen has been one of the top defensemen for the Stars since making his debut at 19 years old in 2018. Dallas drafted him third overall in 2017.
Columbus Blue Jackets players celebrates after a goal
Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason is used to facing challenges this season and started laughing even before a question about potential lineup changes could be completed.
“There’s a few, yeah, too many to talk about,” Evason said Tuesday, as the Blue Jackets got ready to face Buffalo without three more key players: star defenseman Zach Werenski (undisclosed), forward Kirill Marchenko (broken jaw), and defenseman Dante Fabbro (upper body). “So yeah, there’ll be some changes. But I’m not going to go over all of them.”
Missing two of their leading scorers, Werenski (57 points) and Marchenko (55 points), would worry most teams, but for Evason and the Blue Jackets, it’s nothing new.
“Yeah, what’s the matter, right?” Evason said. “We expect our team to handle it the same as they’ve handled it with calm and professionalism and work ethic.”
Though the Blue Jackets lost 3-2, the message remained clear.
“I think we’ve done a great job so far of maturing as a team, and just still a lot to learn,” veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov said. “Just kind of learn and move on.”
The Blue Jackets have had a tough season, starting with the deaths of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in August, followed by injuries to several key players, including captain Boone Jenner in October. Despite this, Columbus is now in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
“I’d be foolin’ if I thought we’d be at this point of the season with everything that transpired with our franchise,” general manager Don Waddell told. “I give the leadership group of our team so much credit for bringing this group together because it could’ve went one of two ways — and it’s gone the best it could.”
Columbus Blue Jackets players in the 3rd period
With a record of 26-20-7, the Blue Jackets entered Monday in the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot, just one win away from matching last season’s total.
They’ve fought back from a rough 1-6-2 stretch to go 14-5-2, despite missing key players like Jenner, who has returned to practice, as well as forward Sean Monahan (wrist) and defenseman Erik Gudbranson (shoulder), both out until March.
On a team ranked eighth in the NHL with 173 goals and 27th with 175 goals allowed, the Blue Jackets’ success has relied on a hardworking mentality, with a mix of youth and veteran players.
“We know that there were low expectations for us,” said defenseman Jack Johnson, a 19-year NHL veteran now back for his second stint with Columbus. “So for better or worse, we’re playing with no pressure. We’re going out, we’re working hard. Everyone does their job and having some fun doing it.”
A big motivator for the team has been the memory of Gaudreau, who, along with his brother, was killed in a tragic accident in New Jersey when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver.
“I think it brought us closer together,” forward Adam Fantilli said.
Fantilli, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, has been performing well, scoring eight goals and 15 points in his last 14 games. His improved play came as Monahan, who had been playing well, was sidelined by injury. Kent Johnson, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, also scored his career-high matching 16th goal against Buffalo.
“We fought through games that people didn’t think we’d win,” defenseman Jordan Harris said. “We fought through injuries, obviously, Johnny and Matthew. It’s shown up time and time again that we’re able to push through that.”
Columbus Blue Jackets players celebrate after a goal
While the Blue Jackets have a modest record of 10-4-7 in one-goal games, they’ve been strong recently, going 6-2 in their last eight. They’ve also shown resilience, going 23-3-6 when tied or leading after two periods.
“You’ve got to give them a lot of credit for getting themselves in the right place with what happened,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of the Blue Jackets.
Evason stays focused on the present.
“We’re playing every game to try to win a hockey game, simple as that,” he said. “Every team’s dealt with adversity. Every team’s dealt with situations where they’ve got to overcome things.”
Despite the challenges, few teams have faced what Columbus has. Evason is reminded of this every time he wears the No. 13 patch on his jacket in honor of Gaudreau.
“They’ve pulled together. They’ve stuck together. They’ve been a team. They’ve supported each other through a very difficult situation,” Evason said. “I’m very proud of the way the guys have handled every situation.”
After the loss to Buffalo, Evason expressed confidence the Blue Jackets would bounce back, saying, “Our group’s not had a problem with that all year.”
Brett Veach in the news conference following AFC Championship NFL football game
Brett Veach’s journey with the Chiefs began when he was an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2000, where he even ran out to get lunch orders, often cheeseburgers.
Years later, Veach is still delivering, but now as the general manager for the Chiefs, who are aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title. Chiefs coach Andy Reid has praised Veach for rebuilding the team every year and credits him for the success the team enjoys today.
“You could see right from the get-go his energy and how smart he was,” Reid said. “Then his passion for the players side of it. Those guys that came in, I gave them the opportunity to either go personnel or to the football side, and he was so passionate about digging in with it and finding guys.”
Veach started as a coaching intern and spent nearly four years in that role, learning how to identify prospects. He also learned what Reid values in players.
Veach’s ability to spot talent became evident when he helped identify key players like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and Fletcher Cox, all of whom contributed to the Eagles’ success while Reid was the coach.
“He just had an eye and a knack for it and that hasn’t changed,” Reid recalled with a smile.
Because of this talent, Reid brought Veach with him to Kansas City in 2013, where Veach was hired as a pro and college personnel analyst. Two years later, he became co-director of player personnel, and in 2017, after the Chiefs moved on from John Dorsey, Veach became the general manager.
Andy Reid and Brett Veach in the training camp
Veach’s influence was clear during the 2017 draft when he insisted on trading up to pick Patrick Mahomes, giving Reid the franchise quarterback he needed.
“We got a chance to work with Patrick Mahomes, and what a job he’s done,” said Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt. “He has kept this team on top, and that’s an amazing achievement.”
The Chiefs’ roster has changed significantly since their first Super Bowl title in 2019. Despite big contracts for stars like Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, Veach has kept the team competitive by skillfully managing the salary cap and making savvy moves like signing wide receiver Marquise Brown to a team-friendly deal or bringing in Kareem Hunt when no one else would.
“He and his crew have done an exceptional job,” Reid said. “No more than this year.”
Veach doesn’t take all the credit, though. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and leadership from Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt.
“It goes back to the leadership of Clark. Clark does a great job of keeping — I’m super aggressive and that can be dangerous,” Veach said. “Having Clark’s leadership and guidance has been a blessing.”
Veach adds that balancing aggressiveness with smart decision-making is key to the Chiefs’ sustained success.
“We have a good group here. We plan to be successful for a long time. We just have to be smart. It’s a delicate balance of being disciplined and aggressive,” he said.
Howie Roseman’s rise to becoming one of the top executives in the NFL started in 2000 as an unpaid intern with the Philadelphia Eagles. He eventually became the youngest general manager in NFL history at age 34 in 2010, a dream he’d had since childhood, when he would analyze college players and create draft boards.
But his journey wasn’t always smooth. After a power struggle with former coach Chip Kelly, Roseman was pushed out in 2015. However, he regained control the following year after Kelly was fired. In 2017, Roseman built the Eagles’ first Super Bowl-winning team.
After a disappointing 2020 season, he rebuilt the team again, leading them back to the Super Bowl two years later, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35.
Now, the Eagles are back in the Super Bowl for a rematch with the Chiefs this Sunday. None of this would have been possible without Roseman’s excellent moves last offseason following the team’s collapse from a 10-1 start. “I really feel like the only thing that matters is the outcome on Sunday,” Roseman said. “I’ll trade every (personal) award you can ever get for another world championship.”
Roseman has been both criticized and celebrated by fans. In the past, many Eagles fans wanted him fired, but now they call the offseason “Howie Season” or “#HowieSzn” because of his ability to manage the salary cap and add key players to the team.
During “Howie season,” the Eagles made several major moves: they acquired Saquon Barkley from the rival New York Giants, signed a special teams player and turned Zack Baun into an All-Pro linebacker, and drafted cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, strengthening the defense.
Howie Roseman looks on during warm-up before the game
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni credited Roseman for his efforts, saying, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said how good of a job Howie has done in getting these guys in here… With eight new starters on defense, really good defense in 2022, really good defense here in 2024.”
Some of Roseman’s picks, like Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson in 2020, and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside over DK Metcalf in 2019, have been criticized, but recent moves have paid off. Drafting DeVonta Smith in 2021 and acquiring A.J. Brown in a trade gave the Eagles one of the top receiving duos in the league.
Selecting Jalen Hurts in the second round of 2020, even though the team already had Carson Wentz, might be Roseman’s best pick. He also took a chance on Jordan Mailata in 2018, who had no football experience but became one of the NFL’s best left tackles.
Roseman doesn’t boast about his success and remains humble, acknowledging the tough nature of working in Philadelphia. “When you work in Philly, you know you’re one step away from banners flying over stadiums (saying ‘Fire Howie!’),” he said. “So I think that you gotta be humble. You have to keep your head down. All that matters is winning.”
When shown a photo of a fan wearing an Eagles jersey with “Howie” on the back and the No. 52 from the 2018 Super Bowl win, Roseman said, “Want to make him proud. One more.”
If the Eagles win this Super Bowl, fans might start calling the entire Super Bowl week “Howie season” instead of just the offseason.
For the Super Bowl on Sunday, the NFL is stenciling “Choose Love” in one of the end zones at the Superdome, aiming to uplift the country after a series of tragic events earlier this year.
“The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time, and the NFL is in a unique position to inspire and engage the country,” said league spokesman Brian McCarthy. “’Choose Love’ is the right message as the country has faced wildfires in Southern California, a terrorist attack in New Orleans, a plane crash near Washington, D.C., and another in Philadelphia.”
The message “It Takes All of Us” will be stenciled in the other end zone, as it has been since the NFL started using field stencils in 2020 for its Inspire Change initiative. Teams have selected messages like “Vote,” “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” and “Choose Love” for the other end zone.
The Kansas City Chiefs, who are aiming for a three-peat, used “Choose Love” in the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo, while the Philadelphia Eagles picked “End Racism” for the NFC Championship.
President Donald Trump will be at the game as the Chiefs try to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
The end zone at AT&T Stadium before an NFL game
Some sources denied claims that Trump’s attendance was the reason “End Racism” would not be stenciled this year. Both sources wished to remain anonymous as they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated Monday that the league’s diversity efforts are not in conflict with the Trump administration’s position on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The NFL enforces policies like the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview diverse candidates for top coaching and front-office positions.
Goodell added that NFL owners, many of whom supported Trump’s 2024 campaign, help shape the league’s policies, which are in line with the law and serve the league’s best interests.
Carson Wentz arrives at the New Orleans international airport
Carson Wentz will mostly watch from the sidelines during another Super Bowl appearance for the Philadelphia Eagles, just like he did seven years ago. Back then, he watched his backup Nick Foles lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title. Now, Wentz is a backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, preparing to face his old team and his former backup, Jalen Hurts.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Wentz said. “It’s been a journey for sure. Feels like a couple of lifetimes ago. Grateful for all the stops along the way. It definitely didn’t go exactly as planned when I first got drafted, but I’m thankful to still be playing the game I love.”
Wentz was drafted second overall by the Eagles in 2016 to be the quarterback who would lead the team to greatness. He quickly made an impact, helping the Eagles become contenders in his second season. He was an MVP candidate until he suffered a knee injury in Week 14, after leading the team to an 11-2 record and NFC East championship.
After Wentz got injured, Nick Foles took over. Foles led the team to one of the greatest postseason runs, including a Super Bowl victory where he threw for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and even caught a touchdown pass. Wentz could only watch from the sidelines.
“It definitely was bittersweet without a doubt,” Wentz said. “It’s something you dream of as a kid. You dream of being on that stage and playing that game. Then life unfolds and you get that opportunity and you’re in street clothes.”
Carson Wentz warms up before the game
Wentz continued with the Eagles after that, but he never reached the same level of success. In 2018, he was shut down with a back injury and missed the playoffs. In 2019, he got a chance in the playoffs but left a wild-card game against Seattle with a concussion.
After the Eagles drafted Jalen Hurts in 2020, the team traded Wentz to Indianapolis in 2021. Despite the changes, Wentz still looks back on his time with the Eagles with fondness.
“A lot of good times,” Wentz said. “Winning the Super Bowl was amazing. A lot of memories and friendships that I’ll have the rest of my life. There are definitely no hard feelings. You wish it would have went a different way, all those things. But you can’t really kind of have any regrets on that front.”
Since leaving Philadelphia, Wentz has played for Indianapolis, Washington, and the Los Angeles Rams. In 2023, he joined the Chiefs as Mahomes’ backup and started one game in Week 18 when the team rested most of its starters.
Though he’s no longer with the Eagles, Wentz still follows the team and isn’t surprised by Jalen Hurts’ success.
“Everybody knew coming in he was an athlete, but I was impressed by how accurate he was,” Wentz said. “He threw the ball well, he spun it well, he was accurate from the start. He seemed sharp and had a good head on his shoulders, so kudos to him.”
Andy Reid watches from the sidelines in the 1st half
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has no plans to retire anytime soon.
As Reid gets the team ready for their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years, the 66-year-old dismissed rumors that he might step away if the Chiefs win a third consecutive title.
“Yes, I’ll be back,” Reid said on Tuesday.
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is hopeful Reid will remain with the team for many more years.
“I don’t have a sense that he’s remotely close to wanting to be done,” Hunt told Kansas City-area reporters. “I think he’s always said he’ll know when the time is right and I’m sure he’ll share with me before he shares with everyone else — at least, I hope so. I don’t sense he’s anywhere close to being done.”
Andy Reid reacts on the sidelines in the 1st half
Reid is on track to become one of the most successful coaches in NFL history. If he wins this Sunday, he will join Bill Belichick (six Super Bowl titles) and Chuck Noll (four) as the third coach with four Super Bowl victories.
Reid is also fourth on the all-time list with 301 wins in the regular season and playoffs, and he could break Don Shula’s record of 347 wins. However, Reid said that personal achievements are not his main motivation.
“That’s not part of it,” he said. “I just enjoy teaching. I don’t get caught up much in the stats or the records. I enjoy being around the guys. I enjoy football, the game. You can’t put in the hours we do and not enjoy it. I love the game.”
Kareem Hunt has learned the value of second chances since fumbling on his first carry in his NFL debut back in 2017.
“I thought my career was done and I was like, ‘Man, I’m a bust. It’s over with,’” Hunt recalled on Tuesday as he discussed playing in his first Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.
Hunt remembers how Chiefs coach Andy Reid quickly approached him after the turnover during their game in New England.
“He was like, ‘Relax, man. Calm down. When we get this ball back, we’re giving it right back to you,’” Hunt said. “So that was another second chance right there. And I’m like, ‘Wow, I got to make the most of it.’”
Hunt has done just that in his return to the team that originally drafted him. After offseason surgery for a sports hernia, Hunt started the 2024 season unsigned, working out by himself at his old high school and recovering in a YMCA sauna, unsure if his NFL career was over.
“I didn’t know if the opportunity was going to come or not,” Hunt said, reflecting on his five previous seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
When Isiah Pacheco fractured his fibula in Week 2, Hunt got the call he had been waiting for—not only from the Chiefs but at a time when they were looking to become the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
“When I got that call, I was excited and I told them, ‘You won’t regret it,’” Hunt said.
And he’s delivered.
Andy Reid speaks at the news conference
Hunt led the Chiefs in rushing this season with 728 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. Even after Pacheco returned to the lineup, Hunt continued as the primary running back and added touchdowns in both of the Chiefs’ playoff wins.
“Being able to play football in February is amazing,” Hunt said. “I got to make the most of it now.”
By his second season in 2018, Hunt was already one of the NFL’s top players, helping first-year starter Patrick Mahomes lead the Chiefs to the playoffs. But in late November of that season, a video surfaced showing Hunt kicking a woman in the hall of a Cleveland hotel.
Although no charges were filed after the woman stopped cooperating with authorities, the Chiefs released Hunt.
Hunt joined the Browns in 2019 and served an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. His five seasons in Cleveland, where he rushed for 2,285 yards and five touchdowns, were less productive than his first two in Kansas City.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs reached four Super Bowls, winning three, without Hunt.
Though he missed out on those titles, he’s now back to help the Chiefs try to make history.
“I almost should have never left,” Hunt said. “So, I’m just grateful to be able to come back where it all started and hopefully finish it out and do the unthinkable. And three-peat.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks in a news conference
The leader of the NFL referees union called the claims that officiating crews favor the Kansas City Chiefs, or any other team, “insulting and preposterous.”
Scott Green, the executive director of the NFL Referees Association, issued a statement on Tuesday thanking Commissioner Roger Goodell for dismissing the accusations and responding to the conspiracy theories on social media about Chiefs’ favoritism.
“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to assume that NFL officials are not doing everything they can to make the right call on every play are spot on,” Green said. “Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It’s insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that 17 officiating crews with 138 officials are working together to help one team.”
The rumors of bias stemmed from a few controversial calls in the playoffs that went in favor of Kansas City. These included penalties on Houston for two illegal hits on Patrick Mahomes in the divisional round and a call on Josh Allen that ruled he was just short on a fourth-and-1 sneak in Kansas City’s 32-29 win over Buffalo in the AFC Championship.
Commissioner Roger Goodell talks to Referee John Hussey before the game
But looking at all penalties shows no evidence of bias. In fact, the Chiefs have been penalized 120 more yards than their opponents in the regular season and playoffs since the 2022 playoffs started.
Kansas City has also seen 10 fewer first downs awarded to opponents because of penalties on third or fourth down during that time, and they’ve had only a slight advantage in penalty-yard difference in the fourth quarter or overtime of tight games.
“There are many things fans can focus on during a 17-game season, like coaching decisions, player injuries, weather, and even close calls during incredible plays made by talented athletes,” Green said. “But you can be sure that every single down, NFL officials, both on the field and in the replay booth, are doing everything they can to make the correct call.”
Caleb Martin and Quentin Grimes are swapping teams in Philadelphia.
The Dallas Mavericks traded for Martin on Tuesday, sending Grimes back to the Eastern Conference. In return, Philadelphia gets a 2025 second-round pick. The deal was announced just hours before the two teams were set to play at the Wells Fargo Center.
This trade comes three days after the big move that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, a rare superstar swap.
Martin has been out since January 10 with groin and hip injuries. Grimes, on the other hand, had been with the Mavericks for his first season after coming over from Detroit in an offseason trade. Dallas had also added Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade to strengthen the Doncic-Irving pairing, before the unexpected move involving Doncic.
Martin had turned down more money from Miami to join the 76ers, hoping to chase a title alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
Caleb Martin and Devin Booker in the 2nd half
The Mavericks’ trade of Martin continues a recent trend of big moves at the deadline, following the acquisition of Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn. A year later, the Mavs made their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011 but lost to Boston in five games.
Martin averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 31 games for the 76ers, while Grimes had 10.2 points per game over 47 games for Dallas. Both players have had fluctuating starting roles throughout their careers. Before his injury, Martin started 24 games this season, while Grimes started 12, shooting a career-high 40% from three-point range and being a key defender for Dallas.
Chiefs’ defense rebuilt through key draft picks in 2022 (Kansas City Chiefs)
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach orchestrated a masterclass during the 2022 NFL Draft, securing a mix of impact players that have played a direct role in the team’s continued dominance.
The decisions made during those three days set the stage for what could now be an unprecedented third consecutive championship as they prepare to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome.
Following a crushing defeat in the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and an overtime loss to Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game over the previous two seasons, it became clear that the Chiefs needed to revamp their defensive unit.
Brett Veach’s 2022 draft class fuels Chiefs’ championship push (Kansas City Chiefs)
Veach wasted no time in addressing that need, assembling a draft class that continues to yield results.
That year’s selections brought in Trent McDuffie, now the team’s top cornerback, sack leader George Karlaftis, starting safety Bryan Cook, and a trio of key defensive backs—Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson, and Josh Williams.
The additions didn’t stop there, as linebacker Leo Chenal and hard-charging running back Isiah Pacheco also joined the mix. Not every pick was a home run, with Skyy Moore struggling with injuries and offensive lineman Darian Kinnard departing for the Eagles.
However, the depth and talent added in that draft helped keep Kansas City in championship contention. Reflecting on that pivotal draft, Veach acknowledged its importance during an interview with NFL.com on Super Bowl LIX Opening Night.
“That was huge for us,” he said. “Coming off the Tyreek Hill trade, we needed players who could make an impact, and it just turned out that most of them ended up being on the defensive side. But every guy from that class has stepped up, and they’re a big part of why we’re here today.”
Beyond the drafted players, Veach also landed undrafted guard Mike Caliendo, who has been a crucial addition. When Joe Thuney shifted to tackle midway through the season, Caliendo stepped in and became a starter on the offensive line.
The 2022 Draft Class Laid the Foundation for Success
Super Bowl appearances have become routine for this group. “This has been an incredible experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Karlaftis said on Tuesday. “When we came in, the focus was on growth and learning, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.
Even though we’re only in Year 3, it feels like we’ve been in the league a lot longer because of everything we’ve been through. The bond we’ve built has made it even better.”
The contributions of that draft class have been vital, particularly during Kansas City’s postseason success. “Once the playoffs hit, there was no such thing as being a rookie,” Karlaftis said, describing the mindset that defined their early years.
McDuffie knew early on that this group had something special. “There’s always something unique about the class you come in with,” he said on Monday. “For me, it was clear from the start during OTAs and rookie minicamp.
We didn’t know each other yet, but the way we connected and communicated showed me how special we were before we even won anything.” Then the victories started piling up, and they haven’t stopped.
McDuffie’s emergence has been a major factor. Last season, he played a crucial role covering the slot en route to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory. This year, with the team trading veteran corner L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans, McDuffie shifted to the outside and continued to excel.
“Trent is one of the best in the league,” Veach said Monday. “We didn’t necessarily want to move on from Sneed, but given our salary cap situation, it was something we had to do. The fact that we had Trent and some young guys we trusted made it an easier decision.
“We’re always looking to add talent, but having a player like McDuffie makes those tough calls more manageable. Even when you have to make moves for the long-term benefit of the team, knowing you have a player of his caliber makes you feel like you still have a strong shot.”
Veach’s success extended beyond early-round picks, as several late-round selections from that draft have also been difference-makers. Pacheco, Johnson, and Watson all provided crucial contributions.
Watson missed the final 11 games of the 2024 regular season due to an ankle injury, and his absence was felt as opposing offenses targeted the Chiefs’ other corners.
Veach acknowledged that the secondary wasn’t the same without him. However, Watson returned for the playoffs and played a vital role in the wins over the Texans and Bills.
“We had a bit of a drop-off there, but we found our rhythm again,” Veach said. “Seeing him fight through that injury and come back when it mattered most was huge.
He’s an excellent player and a tough competitor, and we’re fortunate to have him back. I know (defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) is thrilled to have him this week, and we’re grateful he’s been with us down the stretch.”
Drafting Well is Key to Sustaining a Dynasty
Finding value in later rounds has become a hallmark of Veach’s tenure. While Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce receive much of the credit for the Chiefs’ continued success, the contributions of these late-round picks have been just as essential.
Brett Veach reflects on the 2022 draft’s role in the Chiefs’ success (Kansas City Chiefs)
“Every general manager takes pride in their selections, but those late-round picks mean a lot,” Veach said. “We’ve had some great finds over the years, whether it’s Trey Smith, Noah Gray, Isiah Pacheco, Nazeeh Johnson, or Jaylen Watson. In a salary cap era, that’s how you sustain success.
The draft is the key. Teams lose players, sometimes at a higher rate than others, and the only way to keep winning is to keep drafting well. That’s been our approach, and we need to keep it going if we want to be back here again.”
Mahomes may be the face of the franchise, but football is the ultimate team sport, and even the best quarterback can’t win championships alone. The 2022 draft class provided the depth and playmaking ability necessary to keep Kansas City at the top, ensuring that their dominance won’t fade anytime soon.
