Chiefs’ Reid already at work assembling staff

Juan Castillo reportedly has an offer from Reid to become his offensive line coach. Castillo was successful in that role with Philadelphia, but after struggling in a new role as defensive coordinator, Reid made a difficult decision to fire him earlier this season.

Reid will also have to fill out his front office.

The Chiefs and general manager Scott Pioli agreed to part ways Friday after four tumultuous seasons, and Hunt appears willing to give Reid a significant say in his replacement.

Longtime Packers personnel man John Dorsey, who has turned down overtures from other teams in the past, has been closely linked to Reid in Kansas City. Former Browns GM Tom Heckert, who was a longtime executive in Philadelphia, is also on the list of candidates.

Reid’s new brain trust will have plenty of decisions to make once they’re in place.

Kansas City has the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft for the first time in franchise history, so there will be pressure to dissect the college football all-star games, visit the pro days hosted by schools, and then prepare for the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis.

“We have the first pick in the draft and that’s a unique opportunity,” Hunt told the AP in an interview earlier this week. “On one hand I’m sad we have, because we had to earn it through playing poorly, but on the other hand it’s a great opportunity for us. I think there’s going to be a lot of thought that goes into that pick.”

The Chiefs are in desperate need of improved play at quarterback. They benched Matt Cassel, who has two years left on a $63 million, six-year deal, and struggled the rest of the season with former first-round pick Brady Quinn, who is scheduled to become a free agent.

Kansas City is expected to add at least one quarterback through the draft.

“The GM and the head coach are really going to dictate what the priorities are,” Hunt said, “but clearly better quarterback play is a priority in 2013.”

Along with the draft, the new front office will have to make other personnel decisions.

Defensive end Tyson Jackson, who’s been a disappointment since being the No. 3 overall pick in 2009, is due to make close to $15 million this season. The Chiefs could try to restructure his deal or simply cut him in an attempt to create more money for filling in other holes.

Decisions will also have to be made about left tackle Branden Albert, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and even punter Dustin Colquitt, one of their five Pro Bowl selections. All three were key contributors who can become free agents.

“I think the Pro Bowl balloting tells us a little about what coaches and players around the league think about the roster, that there’s some very talented players,” Hunt said. “But at the same time, we all know there are holes and those need to be filled.”

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