April 20, 2015 - Jeff Fedotin
A Chiefs draft lesson: Why GM Scott Pioli was better than you think
Scott Pioli, the former Chiefs general manager, was skewered for his moves while running the team, which went 23-41 during his four years.
Among his biggest gaffes:
- Hiring one head coach, Todd Haley, he could not get along with and another, Romeo Crennel, who struggled to control the team.
- Signing Matt Cassel, who is better suited as a backup than a starter, to a franchise quarterback worthy deal of six years, $60 million, including $28 million guaranteed.
- Trading future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for a second-round pick that would be used on Javier Arenas, an average defensive back.
- Drafting Tyson Jackson third overall — over players like Brian Orakpo, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews — in the 2009 NFL Draft.