The Miami Dolphins are talking to former Kansas City Chiefs president, CEO and general manager Carl Peterson about taking an executive position with the team.
The Miami Herald reported Wednesday that the team could place Peterson at the top of the food chain in football operations, even above general manager Jeff Ireland.
While Ireland would still handle day-to-day personnel duties, Peterson would reportedly take more of an advisory role. Ireland has worked for Peterson before, as a scout for the Chiefs from 1997-2000.
This is not the first time Peterson has been courted by the Dolphins. After Bill Parcells left the Dolphins in 2010, Peterson was rumored to be offered the president of football operations position Parcells vacated. Instead, Ireland's job description was changed, and now he reports directly to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.
Peterson denied reports of talks with the Dolphins on Monday, as did Ross at his press conference announcing the dismissal of Tony Sparano.
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Speaking of Sparano, that is the precise area where Ross most likely wants Peterson's input. Ross and Peterson have worked together in the past. In the 1980s Peterson was the general manager of the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL, who were owned by Ross.
Though he clearly values Ireland's eye for personnel, Ross probably would not mind to have a more seasoned manager around for such a pivotal offseason, when the team will hire a new coach and probably try to draft a new quarterback.
The Dolphins will need all the help they can get in the coaching search. Dan Marino told NFL.com on Wednesday that he does not expect former Pittsburgh coach and fellow CBS analyst Bill Cowher to be lured back into coaching by the Dolphins.
"I would love to see him be the Dolphins' coach or if he wanted to coach again because that would be great for the NFL,' he said. "But I don't think his mind-set is that he wants to coach again."
Additionally, LSU head coach Les Miles responded to reports that the Dolphins could be interested in his services, saying through a spokesman that he is "not interested in the Miami job."
Peterson certainly has a resume that suggests he has an eye for talent. During his 20 seasons in Kansas City, the Chiefs went 176-141-1 with 9 playoff appearances.
