Kansas City Chiefs - Part 2

The Kansas City Chiefs - part 2 continued from Part 1

which was posted on February 4, 2025

 
Dick Vermeil years (2001 – 2005)

Looking to change the Chiefs’ game plan which relied on a tough defensive strategy for the past decade, Carl Peterson contacted Dick Vermeil about the Chiefs’ head coaching vacancy for the 2001 season(51). Vermeil previously led the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV(59). Vermeil was hired on January 12th(60). The Chiefs then traded a first-round draft pick in the 2001 NFL draft to St. Louis for quarterback Trent Green and signed free agent running back Priest Holmes to be the team’s cornerstones on offense(61)(62). In Vermeil’s first season with the Chiefs, he led the team to a 6 – 10 record(63). The team improved to an 8 – 8 in 2002 but still missed the postseason.(64)

In 2003, Kansas City began the season with nine consecutive victories, a franchise record(65). They finished the season with a 13 – 3 record and the team’s offense led the NFL in several categories under the direction of USA Today’s Offensive Coach of the Year honoree, Al Saunders(59). Running back Priest Holmes surpassed Marshall Faulk’s single-season touchdown record by scoring his 27th rushing touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the team’s regular-season finale(59)(66). The team clinched the second seed in the 2003 NFL playoffs and hosted the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Playoffs(67). In a game where neither team punted, the Chiefs lost the shoot – out 38 – 31(68). It was the third time in nine seasons that the Chiefs went 8 – 0 at home in the regular season, only to lose their post – season opener at Arrowhead.

After a disappointing 7 – 9 record in 2004, the 2005 Chiefs finished with a 10 – 6 record but no playoff berth(69)(70). They were the fourth team since 1990 to miss the playoffs with a 10 – 6 record(59). Running back Larry Johnson started in place of the injured Priest Holmes and rushed for 1,750 yards in only nine starts(71). Prior to the Chiefs’ final game of the season, head coach Dick Vermeil announced his retirement(72). The Chiefs won the game 37 – 3 over the playoff – bound Cincinnati Bengals.(73)

Decline

Within two weeks of Vermeil’s retirement, the Chiefs turned to their defensive roots with the selection of its next head coach(59). The team introduced Herm Edwards, a former Chiefs scout and head coach of the New York Jets, as the team’s tenth head coach after trading a fourth – round selection in the 2006 NFL draft to the Jets(74). Quarterback Trent Green suffered a severe concussion in the team’s season opener to the Cincinnati Bengals which left him out of play for eight weeks(75). Backup quarterback Damon Huard took over in Green’s absence and led the Chiefs to a 5 – 3 record.(76)

Kansas City was awarded a Thanksgiving Day game against the Denver Broncos in response to Lamar Hunt’s lobbying for a third Thanksgiving Day game(59). The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 19 – 10 in the first Thanksgiving Day game in Kansas City since 1969(59). Hunt was hospitalized at the time and died weeks later on December 13th due to complications of prostate cancer(32)(59). The Chiefs honored their owner for the remainder of the season, as did the rest of the league.(59)

Trent Green returned in the middle of the season, but struggled in the final stretch,(59) and running back Larry Johnson set an NFL record with 416 carries in a season(77). Kansas City managed to clinch their first playoff berth in three seasons with a 9 – 7 record and a bizarre sequence of six losses from other AFC teams on New Year’s Eve, culminating with a Broncos loss to the 49ers(59). The Indianapolis Colts hosted the Chiefs in the Wild Card playoffs and defeated Kansas City 23 – 8.(78)

In 2007, Trent Green was traded to the Miami Dolphins(79) leaving the door open for either Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle to become the new starting quarterback(59). After starting the season with a 4 – 3 record, the Chiefs lost the remaining nine games when running back Larry Johnson suffered a season – ending foot injury and the quarterback position lacked stability with Huard and Croyle(59). Despite the team’s 4 – 12 record, tight end Tony Gonzalez broke Shannon Sharpe’s NFL record for touchdowns at the position (63) and defensive end Jared Allen led the NFL in quarterback sacks with 15.5.(80)(81)

The Chiefs began their 2008 season with the youngest team in the NFL(82). The starting lineup had an average age of 25.5 years of age(82). By releasing several veteran players such as quarterback Ty Law and wide receiver Eddie Kennison and trading defensive end Jared Allen,(83) the Chiefs began a youth movement(82)(84). The Chiefs had a league – high thirteen selections in the 2008 NFL draft and chose defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and offensive lineman Branden Albert in the first round. Analysts quickly called Kansas City’s selections as the best of the entire draft(83)(84)(85)(86)(87). Entering the season, the Chiefs were unsure if injury – prone quarterback Brodie Croyle, who was the incumbent starter, could be their quarterback long – term(87). Croyle was injured in the team’s first game of the season and Damon Huard started in Croyle’s absence(88). Tyler Thigpen became the third Chiefs starting quarterback in as many games for a start against the Atlanta Falcons(89)(90). After a poor performance by Thigpen, in which he threw three interceptions against the Falcons defense,(90) Huard was retained as the starting quarterback(91). The Chiefs struggled off the field as much as on as tight end Tony Gonzalez demanded a trade and running back Larry Johnson was involved in legal trouble.(92)(93)(94)(95)

Croyle returned for the Chiefs’ game against the Tennessee Titans, but both he and Damon Huard suffered season – ending injuries in the game(96). The Chiefs reorganized their offense to a new spread offense game plan focused around Tyler Thigpen(84)(88)(97)(98). The Chiefs’ new offense was implemented to help Thigpen play to the best of his abilities and also following the absence of Larry Johnson, who was suspended for his off – field conduct(93)(97)(98)(99). The Chiefs made a huge gamble by using the spread offense, as most in the NFL believe it cannot work in professional football, and also head coach Herm Edwards was traditionally in favor of more conservative, run – oriented game plans.(98)

The 2008 season with a franchise worst 2 – 14 record, where the team suffered historic blowout defeats nearly week-in and week-out,(26)(90)(100) a 34 – 0 shut-out to the Carolina Panthers,(101) and allowed a franchise – high 54 points against the Buffalo Bills(102). The team’s general manager, chief executive officer, and team president Carl Peterson resigned at the end of the season,(103) and former New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli was hired as his replacement for 2009.(104)

On January 23rd, 2009, Herm Edwards was fired as head coach,(105)(106) and two weeks later Todd Haley signed a four – year contract to become Edwards’ successor(107)(108). Haley had a background with Pioli, which made him an attractive hire for Pioli’s first coach in Kansas City.

In April 2009, Tony Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons after failed trade attempts over the previous two seasons(109). Notably, head coach Todd Haley fired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey just weeks before the start of the 2009 season and chose to take on the coordinator duties himself. Throughout 2009 the Chiefs acquired veterans to supplement the Chiefs’ young talent including Matt Cassel, Mike Vrabel, Bobby Engram, Mike Brown, Chris Chambers, and Andy Alleman(110)(111)(112). The team finished with a 4 – 12 record, just a two – game improvement upon their record from the 2008 season.

For the 2010 season, the Chiefs made significant hires for their coaching staff, bringing former Patriots coaches Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to coach the offense and defense, respectively(113). The coaching additions proved to be very successful, as the Chiefs would go on to secure their first AFC West title since 2003. Their ten victories in the 2010 season combined for as many as the team had won in their previous three seasons combined.(114)

On January 9th, 2011, the Chiefs lost their home Wild Card playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens 30 – 7(115). Six players were chosen for the Pro Bowl: Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, Brian Waters, Tamba Hali, Matt Cassel, and rookie safety Eric Berry. Jamaal Charles won the FEDEX ground player of the year award and Dwayne Bowl led the NFL in touchdown receptions.(116)

For their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the team selected Jon Baldwin(117). After a poor start, Haley was relieved of duties as head coach on December 12th. Clark Hunt made note of “bright spots at different points this season,” but felt that overall the Chiefs were not progressing(118). The highest point of the 2011 season was an upset win against the Packers, who at that time were undefeated with a 13 – 0 record(119). Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel would be named the team’s interim head coach for the remaining three games of the season, including the aforementioned Packers game(120). On January 9th, 2012, Crennel was named the 11th full-time coach in Chiefs history.(121)

The 2012 Chiefs became the first team since the 1929 Buffalo Bisons to not lead in regulation through any of their first nine games(122). The Chiefs tied their franchise – worst record of 2 – 14 and clinched the overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft(123). It is the first time since the merger they have held the first overall pick.(124)

Reemergence and dynasty (2013 – present)

Following the 2012 season, the Chiefs fired head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli(125)(126). Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid was brought in as head coach to work with new John Dorsey, a former Green Bay Packers head scout.(127)(128)

The Chiefs acquired quarterback Alex Smith from the San Francisco 49ers for the Chiefs’ second – round pick, 34th overall, in the 2013 draft and a conditional pick in the 2014 draft(129). Matt Cassel was released shortly after(130). The Chiefs selected Eric Fisher with the first overall pick of the 2013 NFL draft.(131)

In 2013, the Chiefs started 9 – 0 for the second time in team history(132). The team finished with an 11 – 5 record and made the playoffs(133). They led in their wildcard game against the Indianapolis Colts 38 – 10 shortly after halftime, but collapsed late and lost 45 – 44.(134)

In 2014, the Chiefs attempted to make the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since 1995, finishing 9 – 7 and getting eliminated in Week 17.(135)

After a promising win for the Chiefs against Houston in week 1, Kansas City went on a five – game losing streak culminating in a 16 – 10 loss to Minnesota and the loss of Jamaal Charles to a torn ACL(136). They made one of the most improbable season comebacks in the NFL and won ten straight to improve their record from 1 – 5 to 11 – 5. The team clinched a playoff berth after a 17 – 13 win over Cleveland in week 16 to become only the second post – merger NFL team to make the playoffs following a 1 – 5 start.(137)

The streak achieved by the Chiefs broke a franchise record for nine straight (2003,2013) and second nine plus game streak under Reid. After a week 17 win over Oakland 23 – 17, the Chiefs achieved their longest winning streak in franchise history at ten games. They qualified for the playoffs, playing in the 2015 AFC Wild-Card playoff game, held at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on January 9th, 2016. The Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 30 – 0 to earn their first NFL playoff win in 23 seasons, dating back to the 1993 – 1994 NFL playoffs, a win that also came in Houston. The Chiefs’ Wild – Card playoff victory ended what was at the time the third – longest drought in the NFL, and it also ended a then NFL record eight – game playoff losing streak(138). Riddled with injuries, they were defeated by the New England Patriots 27 – 20 in the AFC Divisional Round.(139)

The Chiefs first game of the 2016 season was against their division rival, the San Diego Chargers. After facing a 24 – 3 deficit with six minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Chiefs engineered a 33 – 27 comeback win ending with a two – yard touchdown run by Alex Smith in overtime to give the Chiefs their largest regular season comeback to start the season at 1 – 0(140). On Christmas Day, the Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 33 – 10 to give Kansas City their tenth straight win against divisional opponents. On January 1st, 2017, the Chiefs clinched the AFC West and the second seed going into the playoffs that year, where they fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 18 – 16 in the divisional round as Chris Boswell hit six field goals.(141)

The Chiefs finished the 2017 season with a 10 – 6 record, and won the AFC West(142). This was the first time in Chiefs history that they won the AFC West in back – to – back years(143). In the Wild Card round, the Chiefs lost a tight game to the Tennessee Titans 22 – 21, allowing Derrick Henry to rush for 156 yards. The loss extended their NFL record for most consecutive home playoff losses to six(144). The game marked the end of Alex Smith’s five – year tenure with the Chiefs, as he was traded to the Washington Redskins a few weeks later.(145)

Patrick Mahomes era (2018 – present)

Patrick Mahomes made his NFL debut and first career start in the December 31st, 2017, game against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs won the game 27 – 24, with Mahomes going 22 for 35 with 284 yards and one interception(146). The Chiefs began the 2018 season with first – year starter Mahomes as their quarterback and finished the regular season with a record of 12 – 4, clinching the AFC West for the third year in a row and the AFC’s top seed. This included victories over division rivals Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos (twice), along with important conference victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Their first loss of the season came at the hands of the New England Patriots with a last – second field goal(147). Their second loss of the season came against the Los Angeles Rams with a final score of 51 – 54, in which the Kansas City Chiefs made history by becoming the first NFL team to lose a game after scoring more than 50 points(148). Mahomes finished the season with 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns(150). He joined Peyton Manning as only the 2nd player in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns(151). For his performance during the season, he was named AP NFL MVP, the first Chief to ever win the award.(152)

In the AFC Divisional round on January 12th, 2019, the Chiefs defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31 – 13 to move on to the AFC Championship Game(153). This marked the Chiefs’ first playoff win in Arrowhead Stadium in 25 years(154). This also enabled the Chiefs to host the AFC Championship Game for the first time ever(155). The next week, Kansas City’s bid for its first Super Bowl berth in 49 years ended with a 37 – 31 overtime loss to the New England Patriots.(156)

The Chiefs finished the 2019 regular season with a 12 – 4 record, winning the AFC West division title for the fourth straight year, and clinched the AFC’s second seed behind the Baltimore Ravens(157). The Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 51 – 31 in the AFC Divisional Game after falling behind 24 – 0 at the start of the second quarter with Mahomes throwing for five touchdowns(158). The Chiefs hosted their second AFC Championship game in consecutive years facing the sixth – seed Tennessee Titans. The Chiefs then defeated the Titans 35 – 24 and advanced to Super Bowl LIV(159). This marked their first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years, since Super Bowl IV.(160)

On February 2nd, 2020, in Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens, Florida, the Chiefs played against the NFC’s top seed, the San Francisco 49ers. Following halftime when both team were tied at ten points, Mahomes threw 2 interceptions in back-to-back drives in the 3rd and 4th quarters, resulting in the 49ers having a 20 – 10 lead with under 12 minutes remaining in the game. Sparked by a 44 – yard completion to Tyreek Hill on 3rd and 15, the Chiefs scored touchdowns on their next two possessions, with Mahomes throwing touchdowns to Travis Kelce and Damien Williams(161). With a 24 – 20 lead with under two minutes remaining, Williams had a 38 – yard touchdown run to effectively seal the game for the Chiefs. This marked the first time in NFL postseason history that a team faced ten-point deficits in three straight games and won all three by double – digit margins. Mahomes won the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, ending the Chiefs Super Bowl drought dating back to the AFL – NFL Merger.(162)

On July 6th, 2020, Mahomes signed a record ten – year, $503 million dollar contract extension keeping him under contract until the conclusion of the 2031 season. The contract is the largest ever signed in North American sports, more than tripling the value of the previous largest contract signed (although said contract was for a shorter 5 years, signed by Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons)(163). With their week 14 victory over the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs clinched their fifth consecutive division title. The victory also gave the Chiefs their first 12 – 1 record in franchise history. They would later win 14 games for the first time in franchise history. In the playoffs they defeated the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills to win the AFC Championship for the second consecutive year(164)(165). The Chiefs would face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, ultimately losing 31 – 9, failing to score a touchdown in the game.(166)

In their 2021 season, the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36 – 10, earning the team’s sixth straight AFC West title on December 26th, 2021(167). The Chiefs began their playoff slate with a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round, and advanced to play the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. Their 42 – 36 victory over Buffalo came in a game sports commentators and analysts dubbed as one of the greatest modern day NFL playoff games(168)(169)(170)(171)(172)(173). Despite being the first team to host the AFC Championship game for four consecutive seasons, the team finished the season losing 27 – 24 in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Chiefs began their 2022 season by trading Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins,(174) and instead opting to stock up on picks in the 2022 NFL draft. They finished the season with a 14 – 3 regular season record, with losses coming from the Colts, Bills, and Bengals. All three losses were by margins of less than four points. The Chiefs won their seventh consecutive AFC West division championship, and secured the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs(175). The team hosted their fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game,(176) and second consecutive against the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 23 – 20 on a game – winning field goal from Harrison Butker(177). In Super Bowl LVII , the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38 – 35 again on a field goal from Butker(178). With the victory, Mahomes became the first player since Kurt Warner in 1999 to win both the NFL MVP Award and Super Bowl MVP Award in the same season(179). Head coach Andy Reid won his second Super Bowl championship over the Eagles, the team he had previously led to a Super Bowl appearance.(180)

Entering the 2023 season as defending champions, the Chiefs failed to improve on their 14 – 3 record from the previous season, despite this they secured their eleventh consecutive winning season and became division champions for the eighth consecutive season(181)(182)(183). Their overall record was 11 – 6, their least successful record under quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In the playoffs, the Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins 26 – 7 in the wildcard round in frigid weather. In the divisional round, the team held on to a narrow 27 – 24 win over the Buffalo Bills on the road. This was the Chiefs third playoff win in four years over the Bills. They made their sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance, but their first on the road, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 17 – 10 to advance to their fourth Super Bowl in five years. In a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, the Chiefs overtime defeat of the San Francisco 49ers 25 – 22 in Super Bowl LVIII moved the franchise to four Super Bowl titles, becoming the seventh franchise to accomplish that number. This was only the second overtime game in Super Bowl history(184). This marked the first back – to – back Super Bowl wins since Super Bowl XXXIX, making it three Super Bowl wins in five years and cementing them as a dynasty.(185)(186)