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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 7:44 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2009

NFL: Chiefs chairman: Gonzalez staying with Kansas City

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs aren't interested in trading Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, chairman Clark Hunt said.

But he's not saying the same about Larry Johnson and Brian Waters.

The Kansas City Star reported Tuesday that the Chiefs have decided to hold onto Gonzalez, a 10-time Pro Bowler who asked to be traded last season because he wants a chance to play for a contender.

"We will certainly not seek a trade for Tony," Hunt said Monday during a break at the NFL meetings in California. "I think he's excited about the changes we've made here. I think he recognizes that with Todd (Haley) as the head coach, we're going to have an exciting offense and one that will feature the passing game. No matter our starting quarterback, it will be someone who will look his way quite a bit."

Much has changed since Gonzalez made his request to be traded, including the hiring of new general manager Scott Pioli, the firing of coach Herm Edwards and the hiring of Haley to replace him.

The Chiefs also picked up quarterback Matt Cassel, who became starter for New England last year after Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of the first game of the season — against Kansas City.

Hunt said he would like to see Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, and Waters, a four-time Pro Bowl offensive guard, back with the team. But he said those decisions will be up to Pioli and Haley.

Johnson asked for a trade after Kansas City's final game last season, saying he doesn't think he fits into the Chiefs' offensive system and that he isn't comfortable living in Kansas City.

"It's still my hope Larry will be a part of this team next season," Hunt said. "We all saw the comments he made at the end of the season and repeated about a month later. Those were disappointing. Recently, I've heard he's excited about being a Kansas City Chief again and expects to be in the offseason program and help us be successful."

Hunt declined to say that the Chiefs won't seek to trade Johnson, but noted that Pioli and Haley need to spend some time with the running back first before deciding how he fits into their plans.

Waters requested a trade after flying back to Kansas City in February to meet with the team's new general manager and being told Pioli wasn't interested.

"I have to say I was surprised by Brian Waters and his comments," Hunt said. "My experience with him is that he's been a leader for the team and wants to play for the Chiefs. Those comments were probably made in the heat of the moment. It's important for Brian and Todd and Scott to get to spend some time together working with each other before any kind of decision is made there."

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com