INDIANAPOLIS _ Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli made it clear Friday at the NFL Combine – Matt Cassel is his starting quarterback.

The competition that Cassel will face, says Pioli, is no different than the competition any other player on the Chiefs roster will face in trying to hold off competitors.

“I wouldn't say it's open. I'd say Matt's our starting quarterback, and everyone knows that,” Pioli said. “There's going to be competition. I know everyone focuses on the quarterback competition, but I want to be clear in this. When we've said there's going to be competition, there's going to competition at every position. When we talk about that, it's not just exclusive to the quarterback position or Matt Cassel. In order to get better as a football team, you need to get better at every single position.'

Pioli wouldn't address a report that had the Chiefs interested in Peyton Manning and and when he becomes available.

As for Kyle Orton, whom the Chiefs claimed off waivers from Denver late in the year, Pioli said, “We've talked to Kyle and talked to Kyle's people. It sounds like Kyle would like to be with us. It's just a matter of seeing if things arrive at the right place.”

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com