Randy Covitz (KC Star) recently spoke with NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth about the future for the Chiefs head coaching position, and why he thinks Kansas City is taking so long to make a decision on Herm Edwards’ role with the club.
Collinsworth believes the Chiefs are targeting Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley to become their new head coach, and are simply waiting until all the ducks line up, so to speak, before making their move.
This jibes with the signals being sent out of Arrowhead, as the Chiefs have allowed their assistants to go elsewhere if they want to. They also have not sent a strong team to Mobile, AL to work the Senior Bowl, which puts the team in a precarious situation, as they currently possess the number three pick overall in the NFL draft.
Haley has become a hot commodity after his offense turned in three straight outstanding performances to lead the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl berth. He has previously worked with Chiefs GM Scott Pioli before in New York, along with Pioli’s father-in-law and current Miami Dolphins GM, Bill Parcells.
Adam Teicher (Kansas City Star) is reporting that the Chiefs have not sent a large contingent to this year’s Senior Bowl, and are currently waiting on newly hire GM Scott Pioli to make a decision on head coach Herm Edwards‘ future with the club before they began to scout in earnest.
Apparently, Edwards is not attendance, which is highly unusual for a head coach in the NFL, especially one who coaches a team with a top five draft pick. This doesn’t bode well for his chances of retaining his position with the team, as it’s looking more and more likely that Pioli is simply waiting on his preferred candidate to become free for the interview process before he makes his move.
12:30 pm:Michael Smith (ESPN) is reporting that Pioli is not dead set on firing Edwards right now. Pioli is open to all possibilities and will likely meet with Edwards soon to discuss his future with the club.
Here’s the video from ESPN:
9:55 am: Citing two unidentified coaches with the team, the Kansas City Star is reporting that newly hired Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli is expected to dismiss head coach Herm Edwards from his position today.
No decision on Edwards’ future with the team has been announced publicly, but it is widely expected that Pioli will want to bring in his own head coach to oversee the team. Edwards has one year remaining on his contract with the Chiefs.
2:45 pm:Michael Smith (ESPN) is reporting that Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli has agreed in principle to become the next general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The sources cited by ESPN also believe that Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is not likely to be retained and the team is currently leaning towards replacing him with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
The report was confirmed by Adam Schefter (NFL.com) a few minutes later. No details have been released by the Chiefs or the Patriots at this point.
Both teams issued statements earlier this afternoon to address Pioli’s deal with KC. The Patriots were especially generous and kind in their words… something most of us are not used to seeing.
Patriots ownerRobert Kraft:
“Scott Pioli was an integral part of the many championships the New England Patriots have celebrated this decade and I would like to thank him for his countless contributions throughout the past nine seasons. Scott is a great evaluator of talent. He is thorough in his evaluations, extremely organized and has done a tremendous job mining all possible resources to help Coach Belichick and his staff field the players needed to win consistently. He has played an important role in building a championship tradition with players that I am proud to call Patriots. On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, I wish Scott continued success in his new role and offer best wishes to his wonderful wife Dallas, and their beautiful daughter Mia. I think Clark Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs have made a very wise hire.”
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick:
“To sum up in words everything Scott Pioli has meant to this organization and to me personally would be difficult, if not impossible. From the day I met him, he has demonstrated a passion for football and respect for the game that is second to none. It has been extremely gratifying for me to follow Scott’s career ascension from the bottom of the totem pole in Cleveland to his place as a pillar of championship teams in New England. Now with the opportunity to steer his own ship and a vision of building a winner, there is no more capable, hardworking, loyal, team-oriented person than Scott Pioli.”
“On a personal level, the Belichick-Pioli bond runs far deeper than our workplace, as we and our families have shared countless memories away from football. Working side by side with one of my best friends for almost two decades is special enough in itself. But to help each other achieve success beyond our dreams is a blessing and something I will always remember and appreciate.”
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt:
“We are very excited to welcome Scott to the Chiefs. With his proven track record of success, Scott is the finest player personnel executive in the NFL, and we look forward to his leadership in building a championship organization.”
Citing sources close to the negotiations, the Boston Globe is reporting that Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli is close to starting significant negotiations with the Kansas City Chiefs to become their new general manager.
Apparently, Pioli seems willing to forgo some of the control on the business side of the organization that he was believed to want in a new position, and is open to working with Chiefs interim president Denny Thum, who is expected to be retained regardless of who the team hires as GM.
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