Former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli Hired by Atlanta Falcons

Dec 2, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

There’s big news out of Atlanta this morning as the Falcon’s digital content manager, Jay Adams’ Twitter account reports that the team has hired former Kansas City Chiefs’ general manager, Scott Pioli as the assistant GM.

Pioli is perhaps one of the most disliked men in Kansas City City. Hired by Chiefs CEO, Clark Hunt to replace longtime GM “King” Carl Peterson, Pioli began his reign of terror before the 2009 season and held onto his throne until last off season when he was let go in favor of new general manager John Dorsey.

Pioli’s tenure as the Chiefs GM was punctuated with several controversies such as the infamous “candy wrapper” incident and a heated and tenuous relationship with former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. Many Addicts grew tired of Pioli’s incessant referral to the Chiefs drafting and free agency periods as a “process” and “looking for the right 53.”

The fanbase’s hatred for the former GM came to a head last season when a movement known as the “Save Our Chiefs” organization paid money to fly a plane over Arrowhead Stadium with a banner reading “Bench Cassel – Fire Pioli.”

It worked.

Pioli has had a long time friendship with Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, so it’s no surprise that this is happening. Scotty is scheduled to join the team February 3, after his contract with NBC Sport Radio and Sirius XM expires.