ESPN.com news service
Former Jets coach Herman Edwards has reached a verbal agreement in principle with the Kansas City Chiefs on a four-year, $12 million dollar contract to become their head coach, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported.
The 51-year-old Edwards will receive a raise over the $2 million per year that he was making as Jets coach. The Chiefs received permission Friday morning to talk with Edwards after the NFL office gave the OK for the Chiefs to compensate the Jets with a fourth-round choice in the 2006 draft.
Edwards will replace Dick Vermeil, who resigned after five years and led the Chiefs to a 10-6 record. They were the only 10-win team not to make the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson and Edwards have been close friends for more than 30 years, since Peterson tried to recruit him to UCLA. Edwards’ background as a defensive player and coach was also big factor in his favor.
