Former Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli found a new landing spot this offseason, signing with Iowa to help with revenue-sharing issues the school will now face. While the NCAA changing rules to allow players to legally benefit is the right decision, it is one that creates a myriad of potential issues to navigate. This is where Pioli is expected to help, even with the GM's concerning track record of decisions.
The Chiefs hired Pioli as the team's new GM in 2009 after the executive spent time helping the New England Patriots in the beginning stages of the team's dynasty. Pioli would continue as the team's GM until the 2012 season, when the team went 2-14, earning the number one pick in the next year's draft. It was as ugly of a season as the franchise had endured, forcing a change at both the GM and the head coach position. Pioli would next land in Atlanta, where he would serve as Assistant GM from the 2014-2019 seasons.
Scott Pioli's Career Given Second Life With Surprise Iowa Hiring
Iowa hired former Chiefs GM/Patriots executive Scott Pioli as preparation for revenue sharing and will continue to work with all of Iowa's programs. Pioli has been at Iowa's football practices previously and is close with football coach Kirk Ferentz.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) June 9, 2025
Pioli's time in Kansas City is complicated based on the up-and-down nature of the GM's tenure. There is no denying how ugly things grew at the end, with fans protesting and giving every indication that it was time for both the head coach and GM to depart. Considering the 2-14 season the team endured, it is hard to argue with this; however, the GM did help set the stage for the dynasty to come with his frustrating errors.
It forced the franchise to take a hard look in the mirror and begin a reset that would include drafting Travis Kelce the following offseason. Chiefs' fans still might not have a lot of kind words for the GM despite the solid way his tenure began.
For Pioli, this is a great chance to put his name back in front office discussions and continue his career. Things came to a halt with the Atlanta Falcons after getting off to an incredible start in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. After two rough years, the assistant GM resigned and has been in a consulting role since. Iowa putting the former Kansas City GM in an official role serves as a chance to turn back the clock and work his way back into league conversations.