via media.scout.com
Here's a Sunday night treat for you. Don Banks of Sports Illustrated is reporting that Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli is "excited" by the opportunity the Kansas City Chiefs GM opening presents.
Reading the latest tea leaves, that puts Pioli in the Chiefs' wheelhouse. League sources tell me Pioli seems excited about the opportunity in Kansas City, which he's believed to be interviewing for Monday.
With the latest news that the Browns appear willing to hire George Kokinis and Eric Mangini to fill the GM/Coach openings, this should bring some excitement to Kansas City as it appears the Chiefs are in the lead for Pioli's services.
Clark Hunt's hush-hush nature regarding the Chiefs GM search caused many (of us) to speculate that he's getting behind the eight ball in the hiring process. However, it appears the Chiefs are still very much in play for Pioli's first GM gig.
Why Kansas City?
Banks reports that Pioli is intrigued by the plethora of young talent on the Chiefs roster including players like Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr.
We've all heard that Pioli and his family have connections in Cleveland. However, his wife was born in Wichita, KS and still has family there. Banks speculates that Kansas City may be a better fit for Pioli's family.
From a lifestyle perspective, Kansas City might be a better fit for Pioli than even Cleveland.
On top of all that, if Pioli were to choose Kansas City, he'd have over $30 million in cap space to play with.
Put all of that together and Kansas City is the best GM job in the NFL right now. And Pioli is still perceived as the best GM candidate in the NFL. A match made in heaven if you ask me.