Vermeil Signs an Extension

Dick Vermeil signed a two-year contract extension to coach the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 67-year-old Vermeil said Thursday that he doubted very much he would coach into his 70s. The contract signing was a formality.

Vermeil told Associated Press on Jan. 1 that he had informed his staff and club President Carl Peterson of his decision to remain for at least one and possibly two more years.

“It’s all done. I’m already excited about getting ready for next season,” Vermeil said.

Terms of the new contract were not announced. Vermeil signed a three-year, $10-million deal in 2001.

Vermeil also said he was not close to deciding on a defensive coordinator to replace Greg Robinson, who resigned on Tuesday.

He has said two of his defensive assistants -- Joe Vitt and Peter Giunta -- would be candidates.

After going 6-10 and 8-8 in Vermeil’s first two years, the Chiefs finished 13-3 this season.

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New York Jet Coach Herman Edwards received a two-year contract extension despite finishing with the team’s worst record since 1996.

Though terms were not disclosed, Edwards had two years left on his deal worth about $1.3 million annually. The extension runs through the 2007 season.

Edwards is 25-23 in three years. He went 6-10 this season after losing quarterback Chad Pennington for the first six games because of a broken left wrist.

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Willy Robinson, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive back coach for the last four seasons, was chosen the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator.

Robinson will be reunited with 49er Coach Dennis Erickson, his boss for six seasons before he joined the Steelers.

He replaces Jim Mora Jr., who left San Francisco to become the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach last week.

Robinson, a longtime Fresno State assistant, coached under Erickson with the University of Miami, the Seattle Seahawks and Oregon State.

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After skipping practice Wednesday and Thursday morning to be with his hospitalized month-old son, Indianapolis Colt wide receiver Brandon Stokley returned for about half of Thursday’s two-hour afternoon workout before leaving early to join his family.

His son, Cameron, has been hospitalized since Tuesday with an undisclosed illness.

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Defensive tackle Corey Simon of the Philadelphia Eagles was added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, replacing Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who is injured.