Carl Peterson Steps Down as Kansas City Chiefs General Manager

Fresh off an epic fourth quarter collapse against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs are plodding along at a steady 2-12 pace, staring another top-five draft pick right in the face. The man making that draft pick, normally, would be general manager Carl Peterson, who has been running the ship out in Kansas City since the 1989 season.

After this season, that will no longer be the case.

Peterson announced today that he is stepping down from his position, effective once this season ends. Here's a statement from Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, courtesy of Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star:

"On behalf of my family and the entire Kansas City Chiefs organization, I want to thank Carl for his two decades of service to the Chiefs," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said. "Both Carl and I agreed that immediately initiating the search for the next Chiefs general manager would be the best thing for the future of the organization, and he will be resigning following the 2008 season.''

During Peterson's 19 years in Kansas City, the Chiefs have posted 13 winning seasons, four AFC West titles, and advanced to the AFC Championship game during the 1993 season -- led by Joe Montana! -- before losing to the Buffalo Bills.

Lately, however, things have been a struggle for the Chiefs as they currently find themselves at the bottom of the AFC West. While it's only been a two-year run, Kansas City has very quietly put up a Detroit-like run of incompetance on the field, posting a 6-24 record since the start of the 2007 season. And even worse, after a 4-3 start a year ago, the Chiefs have won just two of their past 23 games.

In this current sports climate, a 19-year run in any position is an incredible accomplishment, but a change at the top seems to be long overdue for the Chiefs. They haven't won a playoff game since that '93 run, going 0-5 since, while the current Herm Edwards experience has been quite a mess.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

12-15-2008 @ 8:13PM

Mesaja1 said...

Yea Peterson is going, please take Herm Edwards with you. Some coach, he blew an eleven point lead in the final two minutes. He played defense and coached defense, but could not train his defense to protect a lead. Pathetic.

12-15-2008 @ 8:36PM

tonyG said...

The players lost the lead (not the coach)

12-16-2008 @ 10:06AM

Dave said...

Players play the game. The players lost the game. GM's pick the players and they don't have any...

12-16-2008 @ 10:37PM

mii said...

For one Edwards is not out on the fleid and did not loss anything I am from KC and have seen the chiefs play for the last 20 years under Peterson leadership and it was do to him trying to run the team that was the chiefs downfall not his. Thats why the other coaches left due to him not wanting to start certain players on spend money on certian players so talk what you know dude.

12-15-2008 @ 8:54PM

tommietwotone said...

Herm is a loser. He was a loser in N.Y. a loser here and will always be a loser. Get rid of him now.

12-18-2008 @ 12:08AM

mi said...

your just saying that because he is black this man had a good record why else did they want him chief just dont wwant to spend money on good players and only want to start people Carl wanted to start now we will see now that he is gone

12-15-2008 @ 10:01PM

txlolly said...

Thank you Santa for an early Christmas gift!!! Maybe now us Chief fans will have something to hold our heads up again!!!
GO CHIEFS!!!

12-15-2008 @ 11:30PM

Craiggers1960 said...

I may just decide to keep my season tickets which I was not going to renew.

12-16-2008 @ 12:40AM

harrynut said...

Anyone getting rid of their season tickets because we suck is a crap fan (we dont want you anyway). Anyone getting rid of their season tickets because of the economy is just taking care of whats important first. Im so sick of fair weather fans, when we are good all you here them saying is they have been a fan for 20 years, when we are bad they dont come to games and complain about everything. Glad Carl is gone only for the sake of change at a fan's prospective. Carl has made the Hunt family a fortune!!! I believe Herm deserves another year at the minimum, unless Cower or someone great is available. Gunther needs to be replaced, everyone of his defenses have been terrible.

12-16-2008 @ 9:55AM

CheekyChiefsFan said...

Christmas has come early!! One down, one to go! Herm Edwards is woefully underqualified to coach in the AFC West. Getting rid of both of them might prevent Kansas City from screwing up their first round draft pick

RICHIE Villareal said...

When I moved t K.C. 15years ago,for the opening day game,the Chiefs gave away several thousand "courtesy" tickets,just so the game would be on t.v..Guess what folks;seen the stands vs. the Chargers?Looks to me those happy days are here again.

12-16-2008 @ 9:56AM

cat h said...

Great WOOHOO!! Please Please Clark Hunt, Boot Herm the worm next, that would be the greatest Christmas gift you could give.

DAVID said...

The only thing better right now would be to let Tony G. go to a team with superbowl aspirations. Love the Chiefs, but Tony has done much for us, let him reach the pinacle of success he deserves. Let our Tony go go go Let our our Tony go!!!

12-16-2008 @ 2:37PM

Full metal Jayhawk said...

right on brother

12-16-2008 @ 10:04AM

CHIEFS FAN said...

MR CLARK HUNT THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOU GAVE US EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT
BY FIRING ( KING CARL)
NOW WE WANT FROM YOU FOR NEW YEAR FIRING ( LOSER HERMAN ) BRINGING MARTY BACK TO K.C UNDER MARTY WE HAD 9 WINNING SEASONS & MANY PLAYOFFS .

12-16-2008 @ 10:29AM

Ski said...

I had to move here to Kansas City due to a job transfer from Denver. This happened after the Broncos won the Super Bowls back to back.
This is a city that needs a winning football team because you have some of the greatest fans in the country. This is a great football city.
P.S..... You also need Light Rail. One thing at a time though.

12-16-2008 @ 10:48AM

PETE said...

OH CRAP I WAS HOPING IT WAS TED THOMPSON FROM GREEN BAY.

12-17-2008 @ 10:03AM

Tex Hansen said...

I agree with the Ted Thompson move.

12-16-2008 @ 12:02PM

katherine florendo said...

Peterson has had his head in the sand (or possibly some other orifice) all season. Edwards & he committed to building a young team when veterans like Favre & Pennington were available. A golden opportunity for mentorship of a young team was totally wasted. Brody, Damon, & Tyler could have learned a lot from either of them & they would have been a huge draw for fans (Favre connecting with Tony G for the end zone; I would pay to see that!). As it stands, the fans are sick of being charged more money, in this economy, to see our Chiefs get spanked on a regular basis. I did not give up my season tickets because I am a fair-weather fan; I just couldn't bear to see any more of my money going to Carl Peterson. Santa Baby, I think my stocking has some space now!