Report: Andy Reid Gets Five-year Deal, Top Dollar From Chiefs
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
According to Clark Judge of CBS Sports, the Kansas City Chiefs have given new head coach Andy Reid a five-year contract that will pay him top dollar.
In fact, he could be one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.
"He [Reid] gains complete authority over the football operations of a team desperate to win, only he gains it with an owner who will stay out of the way and give him what he wants. Clark Hunt got a head start by awarding Reid a five-year contract that, one source indicated, will pay Reid top dollar, with the Chiefs’ new coach at or near the top of the NFL salary scale."
Interestingly, Judge says that Reid had the Chiefs at the top of his list and that KC was the only place he wanted to visit.
"In fact, people who should know tell me Kansas City was first on Reid’s wish list and was the only place he wanted to go. Granted, there were overtures from Arizona and San Diego, but let’s be honest, people: Arizona has ownership concerns, and San Diego’s Dean Spanos has always held fast to his belief in the separation of GM and head coach.So neither had the opportunity that exists in Kansas City."
Judge is right. The Chiefs are a prime opportunity. There is young talent on the roster and there are still experts out there that believe the Chiefs are a head coach and a QB away from playoff contention. It is hard to buy into that but you need only look at the Indianapolis Colts and perhaps more appropriately, the Minnesota Vikings, to see that a team can have a poor season and turn things around quickly.
Reid is reportedly on his way to Kansas City now. With Pioli out the door, Reid will likely be introduced as the new coach soon.
The Chiefs will probably try to get the Reid news out today. The NFL frowns upon teams upstaging the playoffs with hiring news and press conferences. If there is no announcement today, you can probably expect it Monday.