The Chiefs and Dwayne Bowe are discussing a new, long-term contract. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs have “made it clear” that they want to keep wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, and the two sides are in discussions about a new contract, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday.

Bowe will be a free agent this offseason. The Chiefs used their franchise tag on him last offseason, under which he received $9.5 million in the one-year contract. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that if the Chiefs used the franchise tag for a second straight season — something they haven’t yet indicated they would be willing to do — Bowe would get a one-year, $11.4 million guaranteed contract.

The Chiefs’ apparent urgency in contract talks signals a shift in the new leadership of head coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey. Previous general manager Scott Pioli was not sold on giving Bowe, 28, a long-term contract.

Bowe caught 59 passes last season for 801 yards, a 13.6-yard average per catch. He also had three touchdowns. He was lost for the season after breaking his ribs during a 30-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns in December.

USA Today reported on Thursday that the Chiefs are interested in potentially pairing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles with Bowe.

The Chiefs placed receiver Dwayne Bowe on IR with a rib injury. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver Dwayne Bowe on injured reserve Saturday ending his season, the team announced.

Bowe, the team’s 1st round pick in 2007, was already ruled out of Sunday’s road game against the Oakland Raiders with a rib injury.

Last offseason, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag worth $9.5 million on Bowe. Bowe was late coming into training camp after he refused to sign the franchise tender and the team could franchise him again if they are unable to come to an agreement on a contract.

Bowe had 59 catches for 801 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games this season. To fill Bowe’s spot, offensive lineman Rich Ranglin was promoted to the 53-man roster from the team’s practice squad.

Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe will be out for the rest of the season. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe will be placed on injured reserve and will be out for the rest of the season, Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper reported Monday.

Bowe broke his ribs during the Chiefs’ 30-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, according to a report on NFL.com. He was accidentally kicked at the end of a pass play.

The 28-year-old Bowe has caught 59 passes this season for 801 yards, a 13.6-yard average per catch. He has three touchdowns.

The next question for both sides is whether Bowe will be a Chief next season. The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Bowe this season but failed to come to a long-term deal. However, Bowe told The Kansas City Star in November that he would like to stay in Kansas City.

“Why wouldn’t I want to stay here? It’s a no-brainer for me,” Bowe said. “…“This is where I was drafted,” Bowe said. “When I’m finished, I feel I should be in the Hall of Fame and hopefully win Super Bowls.”

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles asked Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning for an autograph after Kansas City lost to Denver. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos to a 17-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and moments later was asked by Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles for an autograph, as captured by KCTV5.

According to Charles, the autograph was for his mother, who is a big fan of Manning. The Chiefs, currently 1-10 and at the bottom of the AFC West, also saw receiver Dwayne Bowe pose for a picture with the quarterback after the game. Bowe said Manning is a legend and that anyone would want a picture with him:

“It’s a legend, I guess. It’s Peyton Manning. Who wouldn’t want a picture with him? If you had an opportunity, would you take it?”

A similar situation unfolded during the Olympics last summer. After the U.S. handled Tunisia 110-63, a Tunisian player took off his shoe and asked Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, then a member of the Olympic squad, to sign it.

Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe signed his franchise tender on Friday. The tender is worth $9.5 million. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe signed his franchise tender and will join the team today, the team announced.

The franchise tender is worth $9.5 million this season and Bowe is the last of the franchise tendered players to sign with his team.

In March, the Chiefs placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Bowe. The Chiefs had until July 16 to try to work out a long-term deal for Bowe. Kansas City has until next March to decide who they want to place the franchise tag on for the 2013 season.

Bowe had 81 catches for 1,159 yards and five touchdowns for the Chiefs last season.

Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has reportedly agreed to end his holdout and report to camp. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who was the team’s nonexclusive franchise player, has agreed to come to training camp and end his holdout, reports KMBC 9, a Kansas City television station.

Bowe had until July 16 deadline to sign a long-term deal with the team and when that deadline passed he could only sign a one-year deal with the Chiefs.

His tender was worth a guaranteed salary of $9.5 million for the 2012 season.  He becomes an unrestricted free agent again in March, but the Chiefs could franchise him again. It will cost them $11.4 million if they do.

Bowe caught 81 passes for 1,159 yards and five touchdowns last season.