The Chiefs’ season unofficially ended this past Sunday with their latest lousy performance in New Orleans. This offseason there will be many important decisions to be made.

The first one will be who will replace Dick Vermeil?

That’s right, my guess is that the headman will resign at the end of the season.

Just look at the indicators…

1) He is only supposed to coach one more season.
2) It is obvious the Chiefs need to rebuild the defense.
3) Why would Vermeil want to spend his last season in a rebuilding mode?
4) The volume of penalties this year shows an almost complete lack of discipline, reminiscent of Marty’s last season.

Vermeil and G.M. Carl Peterson resisted retooling the defense this season only because of the clock ticking on Vermeil’s stay in Kansas City. They prayed that Gunther Cunningham could mold the current players into a good unit, and it is apparent by their performance this year that major personnel changes are the only remaining option. It is impossible to point out a single stand out player on this defense.

In my opinion, this defense has way too many holes to fill via free agency and the draft in a single offseason. It’s possible that Peterson and Vermeil will attempt to go this route to allow Dick to coach one more year, but I hope they don’t try it. The defense is several years away from being legit.

It is also my hope that owner Lamar Hunt wises up, and replaces Carl Peterson.

What is this? Year 15 of his 5-year championship plan? The Chiefs haven’t even won a playoff game in 10 years! A look at many of his poor draft choices over the years is enough to warrant his firing.

The best move Carl ever made was to bring Marty Schottenheimer to Kansas City. Unfortunately, Marty proved to be a fantastic regular season coach, but playoff success has eluded him wherever he’s gone.

Carl Peterson has made Lamar Hunt a ton of money, but I’m betting that as Lamar gets older, the thing he truly covets is hardware.

I’m positive that Lamar would just once like to be handed the AFC Championship trophy (which is named for him) before he departs this Earth. Under Peterson’s direction, the Chiefs have only had one chance to do that.

Changes are coming Chiefs’ faithful. Let’s hope that they are the right ones.