Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs should be quite familiar by now.
The two sides spent much of Thursday in negotiations for Reid to become the Chiefs’ coach, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity.
The discussions followed nine hours of talks Wednesday that went well enough that Reid canceled plans to interview for other openings. It was unclear which details were preventing the two sides from reaching an agreement.
The Eagles fired Reid after 14 seasons Monday, the same day the Chiefs parted ways with coach Romeo Crennel.
The search for Crennel’s replacement has been led by Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, who intends to take on more responsibility in the day-to-day operation of the franchise. Also on hand was team president Mark Donovan, who has a connection to Reid after spending six seasons as the Eagles’ senior vice president of business operations.
Reid had been linked to the opening in Arizona before the Chiefs called.
The Cardinals now intend to interview former Chiefs coach Todd Haley.
Haley led the Chiefs to the AFC West title in 2010, but was fired in December 2011 and spent this past season as the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. He was offensive coordinator for Arizona in the Cardinals’ Super Bowl run in the 2008 season and has a good relationship with Cardinals president Michael Bidwill.
Other known candidates for the Arizona job are Cardinals defensive coordinator and former Huskies defensive back Ray Horton and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
AS 49ERS’ KICKERS TURN
Billy Cundiff, sporting a crisp new white No. 6 jersey, had an impressive first day of practice with the 49ers while kicking alongside struggling veteran David Akers as coach Jim Harbaugh closely watched.
Cundiff signed a one-year contract Tuesday with the NFC West champion Niners (11-4-1) to compete with Akers as Harbaugh and his staff determine who will handle the kicking duties for San Francisco in the NFC divisional playoffs Jan. 12 at Candlestick Park.
Akers revealed Thursday not only did he receive death threats last month via Twitter, he also underwent surgery for a double hernia last February and then had a flare-up in November.
KILLED COWBOY SOBER
An autopsy found that Cowboys practice squad player Jerry Brown Jr. was sober when he was killed in a crash that led to an intoxication manslaughter charge against teammate Josh Brent.
The medical examiner’s office reported that Brown died of head and neck trauma when their vehicle overturned. He had a dislocated neck, a severely bruised spine and a blood alcohol content of 0.056 percent. Police say neither man was wearing a seatbelt.
EXTRA POINTS
The Colts granted the Bears permission to speak to offensive coordinator Bruce Arians about Chicago’s head coaching vacancy, though it’s unclear when the interview will take place. … Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield did not practice and plans to wear a bigger cast on his broken right hand in the playoff game against Green Bay. … The Raiders signed running back Jon Hoese, nose tackle Johnny Jones and receiver Isaiah Williams to reserve/future contracts.
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