Unless Chip is reporting to Howie (i.e. giving Howie the power to fire Chip in the future), Howie got neutered here. And while I think it's a good thing, I think it's a fair question to ask why give Chip the keys to the kingdom? I don't think he's demonstrated anything on the personnel side to warrant this.
Our last coach was a great coach absolutely undone by the GM version of himself. We've been down this road before and I'm surprised Lurie went back to the well again so soon.
My take on this is Lurie was afraid Chip was going to bolt and he capitulated to Kelly's powerplay.
IMO, it's a bad move. Kelly's system is unconventional and in turn his roster will be too. If he decides to leave next year or the year after this team will be in tatters. In much worse shape than Andy left it. He better stay to complete the job. I predict next year Kelly will threaten to leave if Howie isn't axed and we will have to play this charade again. Chip is a drama queen.
This was no crybaby ultimatum. Something big happened with Gamble and Lurie fired him. Someone had to take over his responsibilities and this is what they came up with. Chip probably begged for a CB last year and Gamble/Howie won out.
Damn right WIZ and Lurie is buds with Kraft the Patriots owner.Lurie probably wanted Howie to stay in a business side capacity so those comments are to be expected. Don't for a minute think a coach is going to dictate what a billionaire is going to do. Lurie probably has 5 other billionaires he confides in before you see anything reactionary.