After completing his first priority of putting together his first coaching staff, new Chiefs coach Todd Haley now must deal with disgruntled RB Larry Johnson, who recently repeated his demand to be traded or released, and Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez, who still would like to play for a contender in the last years of his stellar career.
Johnson repeated his dissatisfaction with his Kansas City situation in a radio interview just before Haley's hiring. The spread offense the Chiefs installed last year to accommodate the skill set of QB Tyler Thigpen reduced Johnson's role in the power running game he knew in the first 21/2 seasons under Herm Edwards.
"The problem wasn't with the players and the coaching staff, it was basically the organization," Johnson told KCSP radio in Kansas City. "They tried to trade me ever since I came here. Even when Dick Vermeil was coach they tried to trade me to Tampa Bay.
"Like all businesses, there's a certain kind of code of ethics on how to do things, and ever since I came here to Kansas City, they've been trying to push me out the door."
Then at the Pro Bowl before news of Haley's hiring, Gonzalez talked about the prospect that he might not want to play for the team's new coach. He later softened that stance after Haley's hiring, but still left the door open for a trade, something he asked Carl Peterson to do during the 2008 season.
"There's no doubt in my mind that Scott Pioli is going to come in there and do an amazing job, and so is Todd Haley," Gonzalez said in an interview with NBC. "But I'm going into year 13. I want to play maybe two more years, and that's maybe.
"I've been in three playoff games and won none. Just looking at the Super Bowl this year, it would be so great to get that opportunity to play for that.
"I'm not saying the Chiefs can't do that. They will eventually turn that corner, but it's how soon can they do that. Once free-agency comes and they're wheeling and dealing and making trades, if it looks good, then I have no problem staying with the Chiefs."
Haley said he plans to talk with Johnson and Gonzalez, as well as with as many players as he can, immediately after first hiring a staff.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--DE Jason Babin, had two of the team's mere 10 sacks and showed enough upside as midseason acquisition to deserve consideration.
--LB Rocky Boiman, played well at several different positions after joining team early in the season and could be asked back for the right price.
--S Oliver Celestin, special team player came off the street at midseason, and likely will return to job market.
--G Adrian Jones, team's starting right guard likely remains in the team's picture, but the Chiefs want an upgrade at the position, so he won't command a high price.
--S Jon McGraw, special teams captain could have a place with a new staff.
--LB Patrick Thomas, won the MLB spot almost by default, but wasn't playing that well at time of season-ending injury and likely will not figure prominently in plans for the future.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--C Rudy Niswanger, team's starting center figures strongly in team plans at either center or guard and likely will be a high tender offer.
--CB Dimitri Patterson, bubble player could get low tender offer and another chance to develop.
--CB Jarrad Page, starting free safety may not get his long-term contract just yet, but will be tendered at highest compensation levels.
--WR Jeff Webb, Herm Edwards favorite hasn't shown much in two years, but could get low tender and another chance.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: Unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.
PLAYERS LOST: None.
