Patriots executive VP Scott Pioli, left, reportedly is in high demand.

THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL / BOB BREIDENBACH

After years of speculation that he would be leaving the New England Patriots, Scott Pioli may be taking his talents elsewhere, and soon.

Pioli interviewed with Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner and other team brass yesterday in the New England area, and NFL.com later reported that the team wanted an answer from Pioli before the end of the day on whether he wanted to take over as the team’s general manager.

Lerner and Co. probably wanted to know they had their top choice in hand before heading back to Cleveland because they aren’t the only ones who want Pioli — the Boston Globe reported yesterday that the Chiefs had requested and received permission to speak with Pioli for their vacant GM position.

Should Pioli accept, his first move would be to find a new head coach for the Browns. He may not have to look far either — Cleveland has also requested permission to speak with New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Both Pioli and McDaniels have been approached about other jobs in the past, and both have turned down the opportunity to even interview. That Pioli had his first formal interview yesterday could be taken as a sign that the 44-year old is ready to have full personnel control and run his own team.

Over the last nine years, Pioli and Bill Belichick have formed a formidable duo, with a strong draft record and good success in the free-agent market. Pioli has won several executive of the year awards from various media organizations.

If he were to accept the job in Cleveland, Pioli would be returning to the place where he got his start in the NFL. In 1992, he left college coaching to reunite with Belichick — the two met more than 20 years ago when Pioli used to hang around Giants training camp when Belichick was New York’s defensive coordinator — in the personnel department with the “old” Browns (before they moved to Baltimore).

McDaniels was a hot commodity last year after directing the highest-scoring offense in league history, but may be even more so this year, given that in his dual role as quarterbacks coach, he’s largely responsible for Matt Cassel’s success. Cassel had a strong season, and the New England offense was solid, even without Tom Brady.

Special delivery

Patriots punter Chris Hanson was yesterday named AFC special teams player of the week for the final week of the regular season.

In the blustering winds in Buffalo – which averaged 35-40 miles per hour but gusted over 50 mph — Hanson had three punts for 135 yards (45.0 yard average) on the day.

His best was a 46-yarder in the third quarter from deep in New England territory that gave the Bills possession at their own 36-yard line. Five plays later, Jarvis Green strip-sacked Trent Edwards, setting up the Pats’ only touchdown of the afternoon.

After the game, Belichick called it the play of the game.

It is Hanson’s second player of the week honor. He also won in 2002 (Week 11) when he was with the Jaguars.

smanza@projo.com