Reports: Reid close to Chiefs' job
Days from ending his 14-year tenure as Philadelphia Eagles coach, Andy Reid was on the verge of being hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as of Thursday.
Reid had met with Chiefs officials for nine hours Wednesday, one source told ESPN, and "the major issues have been discussed and agreed upon." CBSSports.com said more issues were solved Thursday with an announcement coming as early as late Thursday.
After that meeting at a private airport in the Philadelphia area, Reid has reportedly cancelled interviews with the Arizona Cardinals and the San Diego Chargers.
An NFL.com report said Reid planned to meet with the Cardinals and Chargers this weekend if negotiations with the Chiefs went south. The Cardinals have already moved on, obtaining permission to speak with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
One person not hoping for Reid to land in Kansas City is general manager Scott Pioli, who would be replaced with former Eagles and Cleveland Browns' GM Tom Heckert as part of a Reid package deal, according to multiple reports. Eckert worked with Reid from 2001-09.
According to ESPN, Reid and the Chiefs are negotiating details of organizational structure, salary and coaching budgets. The lengthy meetings were necessary for Reid to meet with members of the organization, including Pioli, vice president of communications Ted Crews, owner Clark Hunt, executive Ryan Petkoff and president Mark Donovan.
While Reid and Pioli have a good relationship, sources didn't expect Reid to want the GM as part of his inner circle. The sources said Reid didn't demand that former Heckert be hired because he still wants to see if Green Bay Packers' director of operations John Dorsey is interested.
The Chiefs also interviewed Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Katter Tuesday, one day after they fired Romeo Crenel.
Reid has already begun assembling a coaching staff, telling prospective hires that he expects to have a new job by the end of the week.
Reid was the winningest coach in Eagles history. Since arriving in Philadelphia in 1999, Philadelphia has won 130 regular-season games, sixth-most in the league during that span.
