Chiefs land Reid, part ways with Pioli
Andy Reid pulled up to Arrowhead Stadium in a black SUV on Friday, stepped out of it wearing a dark suit and red tie, and walked briskly toward the doors of the Kansas City Chiefs’ home.
His new home, it turned out.
Just a few hours later, Reid officially became the coach of the Chiefs.
The longtime Eagles coach signed a five-year deal, two people familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss terms of the contract.
The Chiefs have scheduled an introductory press conference for Monday.
Reid’s agreement was finalized shortly after the Chiefs announced they had parted ways with general manager Scott Pioli after four stormy seasons in Kansas City.
It’s expected that Reid will pursue longtime Packers personnel man John Dorsey or former Browns GM Tom Heckert – or perhaps both of them – to work with him in the front office.
Reid inherits a team that went 2-14, matching the worst record in franchise history. But he’ll also have the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
• In other coaching news, The Buffalo Bills coaching search went into overdrive Friday, when team officials interviewed three candidates, including Oregon’s Chip Kelly.
The Bills announced that newly promoted president Russ Brandon also interviewed recently fired Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and Syracuse coach Doug Marrone.
Next up for Buffalo is a trip to Denver today, when the team is scheduled to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy
Ponder questionable
The Minnesota Vikings have listed quarterback Christian Ponder and cornerback Antoine Winfield as questionable for today’s game at Green Bay.
Ponder was limited in practice all week with a bruised right elbow. He hurt it when it hit a Packers helmet on the follow-through on Sunday, and he remained in the game to finish one of the best performances of his career.
Winfield did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and did so on a limited basis on Friday because of a broken right hand. He had to come out of the game on Sunday when it swelled up.
Around the league
Indianapolis Colts LG Joe Reitz will not play in Sunday’s playoff game at Baltimore because of a concussion. He will likely be replaced by Jeff Linkenbach. … The Houston Texans placed LB Tim Dobbins on injured reserve with an ankle injury. … The Washington Redskins have restored CB Cedric Griffin to the 53-man roster in time for Sunday’s playoff game against Seattle after his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance- enhancing substances. Coach Mike Shanahan said Griffin will be available.