by Jay Glazer

49ERS — FOXSports.com has learned that the Niners and Mike Singletary are on the verge of agreeing to a new five-year extension, a deal that could be finalized as early as Sunday night. Reports have stated that offensive coordinator Mike Martz will not be retained. Singletary actually wanted to retain him, according to sources, but team brass has urged him to go in another direction.

Former Rams head coach Scott Linehan has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Martz.

CHIEFS — FOXSports.com has learned that team owner Clark Hunt met this past week with their former head coach Marty Schottenheimer to discuss the possibility of a VP, Bill Parcells-type of position with the team. It's unclear whether they decide to go that route, but it's likely a long shot.

The Chiefs are putting several feelers out throughout the league and are preparing for an extremely thorough search for a new GM. They are expected to look at guys who have already done it, but also search for perhaps the next Tom Dimitroff — a younger guy who can infuse a fresh, young attitude in the building.

NFL Week 8

Week 8 action

PHI 40, NYG 17 -- Recap | Box
BAL 30, DEN 7 -- Recap | Box
IND 18, SF 14 -- Recap | Box
MIA 30, NYJ 25 -- Recap | Box
HOU 31, BUF 10 -- Recap | Box
CHI 30, CLE 6 -- Recap | Box
STL 17, DET 10 -- Recap | Box
TEN 30, JAX 13 -- Recap | Box
SD 24, OAK 16 -- Recap | Box
MIN 38, GB 26 -- Recap | Box
CAR 34, ARZ 21 -- Recap | Box
DAL 38, SEA 17 -- Recap | Box
NO 35, ATL 27 -- Recap | Box

That GM will help make the head-coaching decision. Many players want Herm Edwards to return, but he will likely have to make several staff changes. The problem is when a guy is viewed as a possible one-year-left coach, it's difficult to find good assistants to help.

BROWNS — Both head coach Romeo Crennel and GM Phil Savage are expected to be gone regardless of whether or not the Browns can lure Bill Cowher or Patriots VP Scott Pioli. As for Cowher, he has insisted to many that he will not take the Cleveland job regardless of the dollar amount thrown his way.

The Browns will look at several GM possibilities as well as head coaching candidates such as New England's Josh McDaniels and the Giants' Steve Spagnuolo. Baltimore's Rex Ryan should also get a look here by his division rival. Guys like Pioli, Pittsburgh's Kevin Colbert and Green Bay's John Schneider among others are sure to get a look. Atlanta's Rich McKay could also get a call here.

TEXANS — Head coach Gary Kubiak is expected to be safe, but there is expected to be a big change on defense.

RAMS — GM Billy Devaney has a strong relationship with current head coach Jim Haslett, who has the early inside track due to popular support inside his locker room and among the local media. However, they should also look at everyone from Spagnuolo to Ryan.

LIONS — They are meeting about Rod Marinelli's future Monday morning, and at this point it looks to be a long shot that he returns. The Lions are looking to bring in a person to complement GM Martin Mayhew and new President Tom Lewand and could look at guys like former Broncos GM Ted Sunquist among others.

As for coach, they'll look at the usual suspects, but could also look outside the box at guys like Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Falcons OC Mike Mularkey and perhaps Titans OC Mike Heimerdinger, who has led a resurgence of the Titans' efficiency on offense.

BENGALS — Marvin Lewis is believed to be safe.

JAGUARS — Jack Del Rio is safe, but he's in the midst of revamping some of his staff.

RAIDERS — Tom Cable is expected to be back in some capacity. Whether or not that's head coach remains to be seen.

FAVRE'S FUTURE — It's that time of the year again, when the questions regarding Brett Favre's future begin to pop up daily.

The fine folks at FOX have asked me to throw myself into Favre mode once again and break down what the evidence points to. Favre earlier in the week indicated he would address his future possibly next week, but admitted his shoulder will play a role in his decision-making process. However, his shoulder is just one of the reasons most of those polled on the Jets believe this really is finally it for Favre.

The other reason? Happiness, or lack thereof. According to several people close to Favre, the legendary quarterback has not enjoyed many aspects of playing for the tough Eric Mangini. According to the sources, there are several areas that have not sat well with Favre including team meetings, quizzes and getting called on the carpet for his decision-making on the field.

Ordinal out of range

Let's explain.

Favre, who long had a great relationship with head coaches in Green Bay, was rarely called on the carpet with the Packers, especially in front of the team. With the Jets, however, the sources say that Favre has been called to what they dub "the principal's office" and grilled about making bad throws that turned into interceptions. Those same sources say this is not just done in private. Mangini will also grill Favre about his throws in front of the team, just like everybody else.

For a guy who for all intents and purposes earned the right to be treated like a king in Green Bay and treated with a certain respect not bestowed upon others, this approach must be quite the awkward awakening. In Green Bay, Favre had his own locker room area to dress, an office area among other perks. He certainly wasn't called out.

In addition, there have been grumblings about how often the Jets have to meet. Many players privately take issue with how many meetings they have under Mangini.

But the kicker that wears on Favre and others are little impromptu quizzes that Mangini often hits his players with during the week. Mangini will call guys out and ask them personnel questions about their opponents. Usually that's OK, but the difference here is that Mangini will ask offensive players who opposing offensive players are and if guys, including Favre, do not have the correct answer those players also get called out in front of the team.

Again, nobody ever knows what Favre will do, even after he announces his intentions. However, everyone close to the situation feels he will, in fact, walk away and walk this time for good.