Brett Veach Crafts a Dynamic Safety Duo for Chiefs’ Future

March 14, 2025 – Kansas City, MO

As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the 2025 season, GM Brett Veach is reshaping the safety room after a rollercoaster offseason that saw Justin Reid depart and $49.4 million in cap space unlocked (per ESPN’s Field Yates). With Super Bowl LIX in the rearview, let’s break down the Chiefs’ current safety lineup, evaluate key players, and peek at what’s next for a secondary aiming to reclaim its edge.

Bryan Cook

Bryan Cook has quietly become a cornerstone for the Chiefs’ defense. The 2022 second-round pick stepped up big in 2024, starting 13 games and snagging three interceptions while posting a stingy 74.2 passer rating against—ranking among the top 10 safeties with at least 10 starts (per Next Gen Stats).

With Reid gone, Cook’s instincts and physicality have filled the void, making him a leader alongside Trent McDuffie in the backfield. His breakout year earned praise from DC Steve Spagnuolo, who called him “the glue we needed post-Super Bowl.” At 25, Cook’s locked in as a long-term fixture.

Verdict: Stays

Chamarri Conner

Drafted in the fourth round in 2023, Chamarri Conner has carved out a niche as a special teams ace and rotational safety. In 2024, he played 28% of defensive snaps, racking up 42 tackles and a pick, but a midseason ankle sprain stalled his momentum.

Conner’s versatility—he can play slot or deep—offers upside, and his hustle fits Spagnuolo’s aggressive scheme. A full offseason could see him push for the No. 3 safety role in sub-packages, especially with the Chiefs needing depth.

Verdict: Stays

Jaden Hicks

Rookie Jaden Hicks, a 2024 fourth-rounder from Washington State, showed flashes of promise in limited action. He logged just 15 defensive snaps in 2024, mostly late in blowouts, but his college tape (5 INTs, 11 pass breakups) hints at potential.

Hicks’ speed and range could make him a sleeper, but with Cook and Conner ahead, he’s stuck on special teams for now. Without a breakout training camp, he risks being a roster bubble guy in a crowded secondary.

Verdict: Goes

Deon Bush

Veteran Deon Bush, signed as a depth piece in 2022, has been a steady hand on special teams but a ghost on defense. In three seasons with the Chiefs, he’s tallied only 19 defensive snaps, with 2024 being no exception. At 31, his experience is handy, but younger legs are closing in. Unless injuries strike, Bush’s days in Kansas City might be numbered.

Verdict: Goes

Juan Thornhill

Here’s the wild card: Juan Thornhill, a Chiefs draft pick in 2019 who left for Cleveland in 2023, could be back on Veach’s radar as a free agent. Before departing, he started 37 games and nabbed five picks, including a Super Bowl LVII ring. In 2024 with the Browns, he posted 62 tackles and two INTs.

At 29, Thornhill’s familiarity with the system and playmaking chops could pair perfectly with Cook, recreating the dynamic duo vibe Reid once brought. A reunion isn’t confirmed, but X is buzzing with “Bring Thornhill home!” chatter.

Verdict: Stays (if signed)

Tyree Gillespie

Tyree Gillespie, a 2021 Raiders draft pick, joined the Chiefs’ practice squad in 2024 after bouncing around the league. He’s seen zero defensive snaps in KC and remains a longshot for the 53-man roster. Without a standout summer, he’s likely headed elsewhere.

Verdict: Goes

The Chiefs’ Plan

Veach’s vision is clear: Cook and a potential Thornhill reunion could form a nasty safety tandem—smart, fast, and turnover-hungry. Conner’s growth adds depth, while Hicks and others fight for scraps. After losing Reid and trading Joe Thuney to the Bears for a 2026 fourth-rounder (per Yahoo Sports), the Chiefs are leaning on youth and cap flexibility ($49.4M freed up) to rebuild a secondary that faltered against Philly’s passing attack in Super Bowl LIX.

Chiefs Kingdom sees the potential. “Cook and Thornhill? That’s a Super Bowl combo,” one X fan posted. With Steve Spags pulling the strings, this safety duo could be the key to Kansas City’s redemption arc in 2025.