Andy Reid is officially the Chiefs' next head coach after he flew into Kansas City today and agreed on a five-year contract.

According to Kansas City Star staffer Adam Teicher, Reid arrived this afternoon at Wheeler Downtown Airport, where Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt picked him up in a black SUV and drove him to Arrowhead Stadium. Hunt showed Reid around the stadium and the former Eagles coach stopped to sign autographs for three Chiefs fans, writing “Go Chiefs” on a couple footballs.

A picture of Hunt and Reid signing documents was posted this evening on the Chiefs' official Twitter account. The Chiefs will introduce Reid press conference on Monday.

Reid takes over for Romeo Crennel, who was fired Monday after one full season.

The Chiefs have yet to settle on a new general manager to replace Scott Pioli, whose departure from the Chiefs was announced earlier Friday. While Reid will have authority in personnel decisions, both Associated Press sports writer Dave Skretta and Teicher report the new coach is expected to pursue longtime Packers personnel man John Dorsey to work with him as general manager.

The expectations are that the Chiefs would improve quickly under Reid.

“I think this team all of a sudden has a chance to be pretty good,” former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “He fits with the Chiefs. He coached at Missouri. He was in the Midwest. The fans will enjoy him and they’ll enjoy his offense. He’s got a plan. He’s been in playoff games, he’s been in Super Bowls. He’s done it all. His legacy is one that he knows how to win games.”

The new coach inherits a team with five Pro Bowl players, not to mention the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. As NFL.com framed it, "The Chiefs are coming off the grotesqueries associated with 2-14, but elements are in place for a quick turnaround."

'Overall the job is still attractive,' said Hunt, who led the search for Crennel's replacement. 'The franchise remains very well respected.'

As Skretta suggested, the fresh start afforded by the Chiefs should be welcomed by Reid, who was officially fired by the Eagles on Monday after 14 years as head coach.

Despite a 130-93-1 record and the most wins in Eagles history, he was just 12-20 the past two seasons. Reid also dealt with personal tragedy when his oldest son, Garrett Reid, died during training camp after a long battle with drug addiction.

Reid will have more authority in Kansas City than any previous coach.

Hunt said this week that he was changing the Chiefs' organizational structure so that the coach and general manager report directly to him. Since his late father Lamar founded the team 53 years ago, the coach typically reported to the general manager.

The Chiefs issued a statement Friday that said they had 'mutually parted ways' with Pioli after a four-year tenure marked by poor draft choices, ineffective free-agent moves, his own failed coaching hires and a growing fan rebellion.

'The bottom line is that I did not accomplish all of what I set out to do,' Pioli said. 'To the Hunt family - to the great fans of the Kansas City Chiefs - to the players, all employees and alumni, I truly apologize for not getting the job done.'

Most of the Chiefs' top stars were drafted by Pioli's predecessor, Carl Peterson. The former Patriots executive struggled to find impact players while cycling through coaches and fostering a climate of dread within the entire organization.

The most glaring position of need is quarterback.

Matt Cassel has two years left on a $63 million, six-year deal, but he played so poorly this season that he was benched in favor of Brady Quinn, who is now a free agent.

It's expected that the Chiefs will pursue a veteran quarterback while also choosing one in the draft, giving Reid options in training camp. Reid has had success working with young quarterbacks, including Brett Favre in Green Bay and Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia.

Decisions will also have to be made about left tackle Branden Albert, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and even Pro Bowl punter Dustin Colquitt, all of whom can become free agents.

The hiring means the Chiefs will roll with the same West Coast offense we've seen in Philly during Reid's tenure.

As Star staff writer Randy Covitz notes, the offense is a quarterback-oriented attack based on a progression-type passing game with mostly, but not exclusively, short and intermediate routes. It is dependent on the quarterback’s ability to read coverages quickly, identify the progression of receivers and throw in rhythm so he hits the receivers in stride, enabling them to gain yards after the catch.

The West Coast offense is also very tight end-friendly.

The Chiefs would seem to have some parts that can make the transition to the West Coast offense, starting with running back Jamaal Charles, who has good hands coming out of the backfield.

Charles topped 22 carries in a game six times in 2012, despite the Chiefs nearly always playing from behind. He topped 30 carries twice. As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal suggested, that won't happen under Reid.

Rosenthal was quick to note that doesn't necessarily mean bad news for Charles' fantasy owners.

Reid will know how to take advantage of Charles' receiving ability. Charles fits perfectly as a descendent in the LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook lineage.

If the Chiefs can re-sign Bowe, and if tight ends Tony Moeaki and Kevin Boss can stay healthy, they would also be good fits.

The question is whether Bowe's issues in Kansas City were more Pioli-related or Bowe-related? We'll soon find that out.

But again; the biggest question is obviously at quarterback.

Reid will have the first overall pick in the April NFL Draft -- as well as the top pick in each of the seven rounds -- to find one.