Chiefs mum on Doug Pederson reports to Eagles
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Kansas City Chiefs will miss Doug Pederson - if he's leaving.
The team was mum on reports the offensive coordinator is in line to replace Chip Kelly as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs' season ended Saturday with a 27-20 loss to the New England Patriots.
"We'll see how things roll here in the next couple of days," said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who coached the Eagles for 14 years before being fired after the 2012 season and coming to Kansas City in 2013.
The 47-year-old Pederson has been regarded as an up-and-coming head coach candidate, and The Associated Press reported Thursday he had accepted an offer to become Philadelphia's coach, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Eagles had not officially announced the hiring, needing to wait for the conclusion of the Chiefs' season.
Pederson has been Reid's offensive coordinator with the Chiefs after previously serving under him for four seasons in Philadelphia, first as offensive quality control coordinator and then quarterbacks coach.
"I know he interviewed for the job and you hear all the reports and this and that, obviously all unofficial," Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. "If that's the case, I'm happy for him. He's the real deal, a really, really good coach. He's going to be a great head coach, if that's the case. Just has that quality about him, that coolness, he can relate to players. I think he will be great at it."
Pederson played quarterback for 12 seasons in the NFL, mostly as a backup - a role in which he performed for seven years behind Brett Favre in Green Bay.
"He's the man," Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said. "We love him just as much as any coach on here. We know how important he is and how valuable he is. Obviously, I wish him the best of luck over there in Philly, and I know he'll be a great coach. I think he's ready for anything that anybody throws at him. That guy works harder than anybody I've ever seen."
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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
