The Chicago Tribune‘s Phil Rosenthal is reporting on a main anchor shuffle at the Windy City’s NBC O&O that may result in a promotion for former Dateline NBC correspondent Rob Stafford.

Anchor Bob Sirott, who’s been filling in on WMAQ-TV’s 10pm newscast after the retirement of longtime local newsman Warner Saunders, was widely expected to get the formal promotion to lead anchor.

But after a contract dispute, Sirott is now out — he’s leaving the station. Rosenthal reports that among the contenders for the main gig is Stafford, “seen as having the inside track.”

Stafford currently is a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter for the station.