Chiefs Allowed to Talk With Jet Coach Edwards

The Kansas City Chiefs cleared the way for Herman Edwards to become their new coach, agreeing Friday to a compensation deal with the New York Jets.

The Chiefs would give the Jets a low fourth-round draft choice if they hire Edwards, who has ties to the team and General Manager Carl Peterson. Because Edwards was still under contract with the Jets, the Chiefs needed to give up something to get him.

Kansas City spokesman Bob Moore said that Peterson was headed to New York to begin negotiations. The commissioner’s office approved the fourth-round pick as compensation and granted the Chiefs permission to speak with Edwards.

The breakthrough ended several days of speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering among Edwards, the Jets and the Chiefs, who are looking to replace the retired Dick Vermeil.

Moore said he did not think a deal would be wrapped up right away, but added “that could change.”

Negotiations are not expected to be lengthy between Peterson and Edwards, who was clearly the Chiefs’ first choice all along. Peterson, perhaps only to add to his bargaining leverage with New York, had also talked with Kansas City offensive coordinator Al Saunders and others.

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Brad Childress, offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles since 2002, was hired as coach of the Minnesota Vikings, five days after Mike Tice was fired following a 9-7 season marked by a scandalous boat party.

“Coach Childress was the elite NFL head coaching candidate,” owner Zygi Wilf said at a news conference. “He embodies class, character and discipline and is a great family man. Bottom line, Brad Childress is a winner.”

Tice was fired Sunday after Minnesota beat the Chicago Bears, 34-10, in its final game of the regular season.

The Eagles named assistant head coach Marty Mornhinweg offensive coordinator.

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Bill Parcells is returning for at least one more season as coach of the Dallas Cowboys -- and maybe even two. The team announced that Parcells had agreed to a new contract through the 2007 season.

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue what we have started here,” Parcells said in a news release. “The Cowboys organization has been the fairest of fair to me, and hopefully I can repay them with an improved performance.”

Parcells, 64, had a year left on the four-year, $17-million contract he signed in January 2003. However, he left his three previous coaching jobs mid-contract and there was speculation he might do it again.

The question diminished as this week went on and Parcells continued showing up at his office every day. Still, the announcement helps turn attention back to what the club will do to continue the turnaround that saw them go 9-7 after being 6-10 the previous season.

The Cowboys are 25-24 under Parcells, including the postseason. Over his 18-year career, he’s 163-123-1, ninth on the career victory list, with two Super Bowl wins.

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The Buffalo Bills fired five assistant coaches, capping a tumultuous week that followed a disappointing season.

Coach Mike Mularkey announced the dismissals of Tim Krumrie (defensive line coach), Don Blackmon (linebackers), Steve Szabo (defensive backs) and Frank Verducci (offensive line).

Mularkey also confirmed that offensive coordinator Tom Clements was fired, a move that was reported by the Associated Press earlier this week.

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Chicago Bear middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, the leader of a defense that gave up the fewest points in the league this season, won the AP defensive player of the year award.

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The Arizona Cardinals hired Steve Loney as their offensive line coach. Loney was the Vikings’ offensive coordinator before being fired along with Tice and the rest of his staff.

* WILD-CARD INJURY REPORT. D10