Thanks to Adam Teicher at the Kansas City Star's Chiefs Blog for pointing out to us that the Chiefs are facing decision time with six unrestricted free agents.  Let's take a look at each of them.

DE Jason Babin

Age: 28

Drafted: 2004, 1st round (Texans)

I wouldn't necessarily mind Babin sticking around.  He's shown some ability since he signed with the Chiefs mid-way through the season.  Ideally, the pass rushing issue is addressed in the draft or free agency and Babin sticks around as a reserve.

LB Rocky Boiman

Age: 28

Drafted: 2002, 4th round (Titans)

Considering the play of the rest of our linebackers, Boiman was a slight surprise.  He was average in his playing time.  Like the pass rushing situation, the Chiefs will ideally address this position in the draft or free agency and Boiman sticks around as a reserve.

S Oliver Celestin

Age: 27

Drafted: Undrafted

Who?  Yeah, exactly.

OL Adrian Jones

Age: 27

Drafted: 2004, 4th round (Jets)

Another waiver wire guy.  He doesn't have a future with the Chiefs (unless Herm sticks around).

S Jon McGraw

Jon McGraw or the Royals' Zack Greinke?  You make the call.

Age: 29

Drafted: 2002, 2nd round (Jets)

McGraw's future may depend on Herm Edwards future.  While he's been a nice addition at times (considering his cost), he's not a staple of the defense.  However, he does play with intensity so I'd like to see him stick around.

LB Pat Thomas

Age: 25

Drafted: 2005, 6th round (Jaguars)

Thomas was a bust as a middle linebacker.  He represents more of the same for the Chiefs - below average performance.  Though he's familiar with the defense and relatively inexpensive as a MLB, he's not likely to stick around.

Because the Chiefs are so young they won't have too many problems retaining their free agents.  A player is a restricted free agent his first 6 years in the league so the Chiefs should be able to keep the guys they want for at least a couple years.

Who will stay and who will go?

via cache.daylife.com

610 Sports is reporting that the Kansas City Chiefs have offered Scott Pioli the job of general manager.  Sources to 610 Sports say the two sticking points include money and control over football operations, specifically the coaching staff.

Money

It's unclear how far off the two parties are at this point.  We don't know Clark Hunt's offer and we don't know Pioli's demands.  But, if turning this team around is as important to Hunt as he's indicated, and if Pioli is the GM everyone hopes/expects him to be, then this shouldn't be a deal breaker.

We do know that Pioli was offered a 5 year, $15 million deal by the Seahawks in 2005 despite never interviewing for the job.

Power

According to 610 Sports, Pioli is seeking more control over football operations, specifically more control over the coaching staff.  This likely means that he wants Herm Edwards gone if he decides to accept the job.  Or he wants the power to make that happen if/when he's hired.

Former Chiefs GM Carl Peterson used to give his head coach control over his own coaching staff.  Assuming Pioli does want Herm gone and Clark is fine with that, it's possible that the control over the coaching staff is referring to the freedom Peterson used to give his head coaches.

I can't imagine Clark Hunt will, after looking at the Chiefs the past two seasons, make this a deal breaker either.  He's previously said he will ultimately make the decision on Edwards but some reports say he isn't likely to saddle a GM with a coach he doesn't want.

Stick around here for the latest updates to the Chiefs GM search.

H/T Eric Allen in the comments.

Yesterday, former Chiefs GM Carl Peterson called talks of him going to the Miami Dolphins in some front office role "pure speculation".

Today, he was a little more decisive in his tone regarding the rumors that he was headed to South Beach.  Per the Associated Press:

"It's not going to happen," Peterson told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I have a lot of good friends there, but I need to get away for a while. It's been 20 years of making decisions every day and I need a rest."

I think we all know King Carl well enough to know this isn't the end of the road for him and speculation about the Miami job.

Do you think Carl Peterson will be employed by a NFL team at the start of the 2009 season?