The Chiefs will end the week, and most likely start another, not yet knowing (or announcing) who their new general manager will be.

The team has scheduled no news conferences or announcements for Friday, and as time ticks away on the workweek, it appears more and more like an announcement would come no earlier than next week.

The team is unlikely to schedule any announcement for the weekend, for risk of upstaging the NFL playoffs.

New England vice president Scott Pioli interviewed with Chiefs chairman this week, and rumors have circulated that the sides are close to a deal. The Chiefs are keeping things quiet, and Hunt has authorized only himself to comment publicly about the GM search. He hasn't confirmed interest in any candidate or suggested an announcement could come any time soon.

As of now, the Chiefs seem Pioli's most likely destination if he chooses to depart New England after nine years and three Super Bowl wins. He reportedly is Kansas City's top choice to replace Carl Peterson as GM.

Pioli also interviewed with Cleveland last week, but it became far less likely Pioli would wind up with the Browns after the team hired Eric Mangini as coach this week.

Several others, including Tampa Bay personnel man and Lawrence native Mark Dominik, have been mentioned as candidates for the Chiefs job.