In the same week that Tony Gonzalez expressed his desire to bolt Kansas City, Larry Johnson also is asking the Chiefs to either trade or release him.

From Rotoworld.com:

Larry Johnson told 610 Sports in Kansas City Wednesday morning that he wants a “clean break” from the Chiefs.

L.J. believes the organization hasn’t backed him, and it’s ruined his public image. He must not realize there is a new GM in town and KC will have a new coach shortly. Johnson also thinks he was on the trade block at the October deadline, and that the Chiefs “have been trying to trade me ever since I got here.” It’s pretty clear that L.J. was told he was great too many times by too many people in the mid-2000s. He’s lost touch with reality.

I agree with the writers at Rotoworld. Here’s a guy that caused a stink two years ago when he thought he wasn’t getting paid enough. So in August of 2007, the Chiefs signed him to a six-year, $45.05 million contract, which included $19 million in guarantees and a $12.5 million signing bonus. In October of last year, Johnson was suspended one game for allegedly pushing a woman at a nightclub, which also brought him simple-assault charges.

And now he’s saying the organization hasn’t backed him? Get a grip. They paid him what he wanted to be paid, stood by him when he got into trouble off field and now he thinks he can pick and choose what teams he wants to play for. Ridiculous.

Depending on whom the Chiefs name as their next head coach, tight end Tony Gonzalez would like out of Kansas City so that he has a chance to play in a Super Bowl before his career finishes.

And apparently Gonzo isn’t the only one who might want out of Kansas City as running back Larry Johnson is growing frustrated over the lack of direction by the Chiefs.

Speaking in the dressing room of the players’ hotel Tuesday, Gonzalez said he expects to hear of a decision about Kansas City’s next coach by Thursday. The 12-year veteran tight end and Pro Bowl regular restated his basic desire to go elsewhere, the week after spending time in Tampa in advance of the Super Bowl. Gonzalez is hoping to finish his career with an appearance of his own in the title game; he has appeared in the playoffs only three times in his career, losing each time.

And if Gonzalez gets his wish of a new home, he might not be alone, as teammate Larry Johnson also reportedly desires to leave the Chiefs – who, according to Gonzalez, aren’t making it easy for some players to want to stay.

“We traded away our best defensive player [Allen], by far. A game changer and you trade him away,” Gonzalez said. That’s just too much, and that’s sending a message to the guys on the team.”

I don’t fault either player for wanting to bolt, but with the hiring of Pioli as general manager, the Chiefs are finally heading in the right direction. Will they compete for the playoffs next year? Sure, maybe. Who would have thought that the Dolphins and Falcons would make the playoffs last year? One good offseason could turn around an entire franchise and Pioli has certainly built winners before.

I would love to see Gonzo go to another team and compete for a Super Bowl because he deserves that opportunity. But the Chiefs just made the first step in turning around their misfortunes and I would have to imagine Pioli would make a sound hire for head coach. So maybe Gonzo should stick around and continue helping the franchise he’s played for his entire career.