Chiefs President & GM Carl Peterson To Step Down At End Of Season

Peterson To End His Nearly 20-Year Tenure With Chiefs At Season's End

POSSIBLE HINTS AT A SUCCESSOR? The K.C. STAR's Teicher notes Hunt "did reveal a list of qualities he's looking for in Peterson's replacement" during yesterday's press conference. Hunt: "I want somebody who's a shrewd evaluator of football talent. (His) job will be 24/7 to think about the football team. That's the most important quality. Obviously I'm looking for a strong leader, a good communicator, preferably somebody who has experience in building a winning NFL team." Teicher writes while Hunt was "speaking generically, he could have been describing" Patriots VP/Player Personnel SCOTT PIOLI (K.C. STAR, 12/16). ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported a potential candidate is Jets Senior Personnel Exec TERRY BRADWAY, a former Chiefs exec, which “could bode well” for the future of coach HERM EDWARDS (“SportsCenter: Monday Kickoff,” ESPN, 12/15).

NOT A REAL SURPRISE: NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi said, “It is not a surprising move at all." Lombardi: "Everybody around the (NFL) and in the (NFL) felt that this was Carl Peterson’s last year because everybody knew it was his last contract. I think what Carl did because of his relationship with LAMAR HUNT, Clark Hunt’s father, was so strong I think that Carl made it easy for Clark to make this decision. I think he stepped aside, moved himself out of the way and, as Clark Hunt indicated there, let the search begin outside the organization” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 12/15). ESPN’s Mortensen said Clark Hunt and Peterson “pretty much knew this was going to be the end of it, even though Peterson had one year left on his contract.” Mortensen: “I think they just decided to go ahead right now, announce it since it was going to be the case after the season so that Clark Hunt can in fact begin his search for a new (GM)” ("SportsCenter: Monday Kickoff," ESPN, 12/15).

TIME FOR A CHANGE: In K.C., Jason Whitlock writes, "An empty stadium, back-to-back seasons of 4-12 or worse and stupefying losses are generally accepted precursors for an ax to fall. We just thought Peterson wouldn't be dragged to the guillotine until after Christmas, until all the ballots had been counted. Hunt read the exit pools and projected the outcome early. For that, we are thankful, respectful and excited. We're also realistic and honest." Peterson "rebuilt the franchise, made the Chiefs this city's No. 1 confidence booster, inspired us to wear red on Fridays and talk football every day of the week." But Peterson was "obsessed with holding onto his power," and Hunt "realizes a simple truth: Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Peterson's "implosion in KC was predictable and commonplace throughout history" (K.C. STAR, 12/16). In Wichita, Bob Lutz: "It was time for Peterson to go. Probably a few years past time. The Chiefs were getting nowhere under his leadership and now, at least, there will be a fresh face calling the shots in the front office" (WICHITA EAGLE, 12/16).

MIXED LEGACY: The STAR's Teicher notes Peterson "will leave a varied legacy." The first half of his tenure was "marked by great success," but eventually the success "began to fade." Fans have "abandoned the Chiefs in large numbers, which several years ago would have seemed unthinkable." Season-ticket sales -- which were "limited to about 70,000 at the height of their popularity -- topped at about 60,000 this season" (K.C. STAR, 12/16). In K.C., Bradford Doolittle wrote, "It might be a stretch, but I don't think it's completely outlandish to suggest that Carl Peterson helped ensure the NFL's long-term presence in this city" (KANSASCITY.com, 12/15). In K.C., Joe Posnanski writes under the header, "Chiefs Owner Hunt Finally Steps Forward." While Peterson "changed the landscape of this city," the last 11 years "have not been so good." Hunt yesterday "showed the sort of passion that, frankly, we did not know he had -- could not know he had." K.C. "won't have Carl Peterson to kick around anymore." It is Hunt's "stage now" (K.C. STAR, 12/16). But NFL Network’s Jim Mora on Carl Peterson: “Carl has had a great career as an administrator and a manager in the (NFL). ... He has done a great job with the Kansas City Chiefs, regardless of what has happened the last two” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 12/15).

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