The Kansas City Chiefs are "somewhat interested" in acquiring former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, the Kansas City Star reported Wednesday, quoting president/general manager Carl Peterson.

The Star said Peterson will talk with new Chiefs coach Herman Edwards about the possibility of getting the controversial star and 5-time Pro Bowl selection.

“I’ve always felt Herm has the ability to bridge the gap between a lot of players,” Peterson said, “whether they’re black or white, whether they’re offense or defense or special teams, whether they’re superstars or backup players. I think that’s one of his strengths.

“Now, based on that, certainly I will have this conversation with him, and I’m sure there are other teams in the NFL who will do the same thing. But there are a lot of things that would go into it, and at the end of the day, we both may very well decide this is not the right path in which to try and follow.”

Owens and his agent visited Denver on Monday, talking with coach Mike Shanahan to see if he might be a fit with the Broncos.

Owens is under contract with Philadelphia, but the Eagles have given him permission to seek a trade.

Denver is a suitor, and a person familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on condition he not be identified because there was no deal, told The Associated Press the volatile receiver had a good meeting with Shanahan.

Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were shown by KCNC-TV at the Denver airport on their way out of town Monday night.

Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano, working at the Super Bowl in Detroit, said he could not comment because he had no knowledge of the visit.

Last week, Shanahan declined commenting specifically on Owens because he is still under contract with the Eagles.

The coach does, however, have a history of taking chances on so-called risky players. Some, like Gerard Warren and Todd Sauerbrun, have worked out. Others, like Maurice Clarett and Dale Carter, haven’t.

“Whoever that guy might be ... there’s always a possibility if somebody handles himself the right way, they could come into this organization,” Shanahan said. “But they’re going to have to live by the standards we practice.”

The day after the Broncos lost to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game, several Broncos said they would welcome Owens in their locker room.

“If it would work anywhere, I think it would work here because of the guys in the locker room,” center Tom Nalen said. “Guys would keep him straight. I think he’d conform. He’d fit in here.”

The Broncos have receivers Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Smith, 35, had another strong year, finishing with 85 catches for 1,105 yards. Lelie had moments, but hasn’t lived up to his potential as a first-round draft pick.

Many believe the Broncos need a game-breaker to take the next step.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures A Flyin’ Lion, an onrushing Tide, hard hoops fouls and more. more photos

“Everybody wants difference makers and everybody wants great players,” Shanahan said. “Sometimes, you get a great player that’s not a team player and then you have a great player on your team and he might not help you win games.”

In November, the Eagles suspended Owens for the remainder of the season for his repeated criticism of the team, Donovan McNabb and several other issues.

Owens is due $7.5 million if the Eagles keep him on their roster after March 1. He has five seasons remaining the $49 million contract he signed in 2004.

The Eagles may not want to pay Owens the bonus money and some teams may want to see if they cut him, which would make him a free agent, eligible to be signed under new terms.

But for some compensation in a trade, a team could get the rights to Owens, then negotiate a new deal with him while he’s still under his old contract.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Steelers shrug off snow flurries, pelt Bengals Steelers are undergoing identity crisis Cincy won't elaborate on Ocho Cinco benching Report: Browns courting Cowher as next coach Quinn has broken finger, will still try to play Browns GM sent fan e-mail containing expletive Jerry Jones 'responsible' for 'Pacman' issues? Curran: Ryan starting to look Brady-like in Atlanta Curran's blog: Falcons set their sights on Panthers Mailbag: Cowboys need to get on a roll NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: