[Kansas City.com] Dick Vermeil told his players and staff in a tearful message Saturday night that he will retire as the Chiefs’ head coach at the end of the season.

That means today’s game against Cincinnati could be his last.

Lynn Stiles, the Chiefs’ vice president for football operations, told The Star that Vermeil informed the players at a previously scheduled team meeting at an Overland Park hotel. Speculation has been thick all week that Vermeil would retire after today’s game, but he closely guarded his plans until Saturday night.

The Chiefs could reach the playoffs if they beat the Bengals today at Arrowhead Stadium and the Detroit Lions beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stiles was in the meeting Saturday. He said Vermeil appeared at peace with his decision.

“I know so,” Stiles said. “It’s not a think.”

“He referred to (the fact), ‘I did not want the highs and lows of winning and losing to determine what I do.’ It’s the right thing for him to do, for his family, and it’s the right thing to do for the organization.”