History of the Kansas City Chiefs facts for kids

The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team. They started playing in 1960 as the Dallas Texans. The team was a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). Now, they play in the National Football League (NFL). This team is not connected to an earlier NFL team called the Dallas Texans that played for just one season in 1952.

The Texans won the AFL Championship in 1962. The next year, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri and became the Chiefs. In 1966, the Chiefs won their second AFL title. They played in the first AFL-NFL World Championship game (now called Super Bowl I) in January 1967. They lost to the Green Bay Packers. In 1969, the Chiefs won the last AFL title. They then beat the strong Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. The Texans/Chiefs were the most successful team in AFL history. They had a record of 87 wins, 48 losses, and 5 ties from 1960 to 1969.

Fifty years later, the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV in February 2020. Their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, was named the MVP. In Super Bowl LVII in 2023, the Chiefs won again. Mahomes earned his second Super Bowl MVP award.

How the Chiefs Started: The AFL Years

In 1959, Lamar Hunt, whose father was a rich oil businessman, started talking with others. They wanted to create a new football league to compete with the National Football League (NFL). Hunt had wanted to buy an NFL team and move it to Dallas, Texas. He became even more interested after watching the exciting 1958 NFL Championship Game.

Hunt thought about buying the Chicago Cardinals. But he decided to form a new league instead. "Why wouldn't a second league work?" Hunt asked. "Baseball has an American and National League, why not football?" He contacted other businessmen who also wanted a football team.

On August 14, the new league had its first meeting in Chicago. Six cities got teams: Dallas, New York, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. The league was officially named the American Football League (AFL) on August 22. Later, Buffalo and Boston also got teams. Minneapolis left the AFL for the NFL. Oakland, California joined the AFL instead, becoming the Oakland Raiders.

Early Days in Dallas

For the Texans' first season, owner Lamar Hunt wanted a great coach. He chose Hank Stram, a less known assistant coach from the University of Miami. Hunt said hiring Stram was a "very lucky selection." The Texans were also lucky to have Don Klosterman. He was good at finding talented players, even those the NFL missed.

Tickets at the Cotton Bowl cost $4 for reserved seats and $2 for general admission. High school students paid 90 cents. The team trained in Roswell, New Mexico. They played pre-season games in many cities. They won all six pre-season games. A crowd of 51,000 watched them beat Houston 24–3 on September 2.

In 1960, the Dallas Texans and the NFL's Dallas Cowboys both tried to get local fans. The Texans offered cheap tickets and even free tickets in balloons! They gave discounts to fans in barber's capes. The Cowboys hired famous people like Roy Rogers for halftime shows.

The Texans had strong players from Texas. These included quarterback Cotton Davidson, linebacker Sherrill Headrick, and running back Abner Haynes. Haynes led the league with 875 rushing yards. The Texans were a high-scoring team. They finished the year with 8 wins and 6 losses. They had the highest average attendance in the league with 24,500 fans per home game.

In 1961, both the Texans and Cowboys drafted linebacker E.J. Holub. Many said he was "the best football player in America." Holub chose to play for the Texans. He joined future Hall of Famers Jerry Mays, Fred Arbanas, and Jim Tyrer. The team started 3–1 but then lost six games in a row. They finished 6–8, behind the San Diego Chargers.

In 1962, coach Hank Stram was named AFL Coach of the Year. Running back Curtis McClinton was the AFL Rookie of the Year. Haynes became the team's first 1,000-yard rusher. He finished with 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Texans won their first AFL Western Division Championship in November. They had an 11–3 record. They won the 1962 AFL Championship in a thrilling game. Kicker Tommy Brooker made a 25-yard field goal in the second overtime. This gave the Texans a 20–17 victory against the Houston Oilers. The game lasted 77 minutes and 54 seconds. It was the third-longest pro football game ever.

Moving to Kansas City

The Dallas Cowboys joined the NFL in 1960. By the end of 1962, it was clear Dallas could not support two football teams. Even though the Texans were more successful, Lamar Hunt looked for a new city. He thought about Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, and New Orleans. He chose Kansas City, Missouri. Mayor H. Roe Bartle convinced him to move there.

The talks in Kansas City were secret. Hunt and his general manager, Jack Steadman, met with businessmen. Mayor Bartle introduced Hunt as "Mr. Lamar." Steadman was "Jack X."

The Kansas City community showed amazing support. Hunt said he would move the team if they guaranteed 35,000 season ticket sales. This was the Texans' average attendance in Dallas. Mayor Bartle and a group called "The Gold Coats" worked hard. They sold tickets without knowing the team name, owner, or league. Hunt gave them four months, but they did it in eight weeks! On May 22, Hunt announced the move.

Hunt wanted to name the team the Kansas City Texans. He wanted to keep a link to their Texas roots. But Jack Steadman convinced him it was not a good idea. The team was renamed the Kansas City Chiefs. This was one of the most popular suggestions in a "name-the-team" contest. The name "Chiefs" also came from Mayor Bartle. He was known as "The Chief" because he founded a Native American-based honor society in the Boy Scouts.

The Chiefs moved into Municipal Stadium. It opened in 1923 and had 49,002 seats. The Chiefs shared it with the Kansas City Athletics baseball team. Only 5,721 fans came to the Chiefs' first pre-season game in Kansas City on August 9.

The Chiefs' first season in Kansas City started with a big trade. Owner Lamar Hunt traded quarterback Cotton Davidson to the Oakland Raiders. This gave the Chiefs the first pick in the 1963 AFL Draft. They used it to pick Buck Buchanan. They also drafted guard Ed Budde and linebacker Bobby Bell. Buchanan, Budde, and Bell all played their entire careers with the Chiefs.

Tragedy hit the team when rookie running back Stone Johnson was injured. He broke his neck in a pre-season game on August 30. He died 10 days later on September 8. His jersey number 33 was retired. The Chiefs finished their first season in Kansas City with 5 wins, 7 losses, and 2 ties. They did not make it back to the AFL Championship game.

Building a Champion: 1964–1969

In 1964, the Chiefs started 2–1. But then they lost three games in a row. Many key players, like E.J. Holub, Fred Arbanas, and Johnny Robinson, were injured. Running back Mack Lee Hill became a starter and made the AFL All-Star Game. The team finished 7–7. Only 18,126 fans on average came to home games. This made people wonder about the Chiefs' future in Kansas City.

For the 1965 season, the Chiefs drafted running back Gale Sayers. But Sayers signed with the Chicago Bears instead. Running back Mack Lee Hill tore ligaments in his knee. After what should have been a simple surgery, Hill died on December 14. He had a sudden blood clot. Lamar Hunt called it "the worst shock possible." The team started giving the Mack Lee Hill Award to their best rookie each year. Days after Hill's death, the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos. They finished 7–5–2, their first winning season in Kansas City.

In 1966, the Chiefs began building a championship team. Owner Lamar Hunt was talking with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle about merging the two leagues. The Chiefs signed defensive end Aaron Brown while he was on a flight with Hunt. They also signed Heisman Trophy winner Mike Garrett. Garrett was named AFL Rookie of the Year.

The Chiefs started the season 3–0. A record crowd of 43,885 watched them play the Buffalo Bills on October 2. The Chiefs lost 29–14. Quarterback Len Dawson led the league in passing. Otis Taylor became the first Chiefs receiver with over 1,000 yards. The Chiefs finished 11–2–1. They won the AFL Western Conference title.

The Chiefs won the AFL title game 31–7 against Buffalo on New Year's Day, 1967. This sent them to the first AFL-NFL World Championship Game. On January 15, 1967, the Chiefs played Vince Lombardi's strong Green Bay Packers. The Chiefs kept it close in the first half, trailing 14–10. But Green Bay took over in the second half, winning 35–10.

For 1967, the team added kicker Jan Stenerud and kick returner Noland "Super Gnat" Smith. The Chiefs beat the Chicago Bears 66–24 in a pre-season game. Injuries hurt the team during the regular season. They finished 9–5.

Interest in the team grew after the Super Bowl. Municipal Stadium's seating increased from 40,000 to 47,000. Voters approved money for a new sports complex.

The 1968 Chiefs defense was amazing. They allowed only 170 points all season. Six defensive players made the AFL All-Star team. Len Dawson led the AFL in passing for the fourth time. The Chiefs started 7–1 and finished 12–2. They shared the AFL Western Conference title with the Oakland Raiders. They lost a playoff game to the Raiders 41–6. This loss started the fierce rivalry between the two teams.

The Chiefs had a perfect 6–0 pre-season record in 1969. They started the regular season with four road games. After two wins, quarterback Len Dawson got a knee injury. He was out for two months. Then, backup quarterback Jacky Lee broke his ankle. This left the team with second-year quarterback Mike Livingston. But Livingston led the team to a five-game winning streak. The defense played a huge part. Len Dawson returned in November. The Chiefs finished 11–3, second in the AFC Western Conference.

In an AFL Divisional Playoff Game, Kansas City beat the defending Super Bowl champion New York Jets 13–6. This set up a rematch with the Raiders in the final AFL Championship Game. The Chiefs won 17–7 against the Raiders. They became the league's only three-time champions.

Before Super Bowl IV, there were false rumors about Len Dawson being linked to a gambler. Coach Hank Stram agreed to wear a microphone for NFL Films. He became the first coach ever to be wired for sound.

The Chiefs wore "AFL-10" patches to honor the league's 10 years. They used three field goals from Jan Stenerud and a touchdown from Mike Garrett to lead 16–0 at halftime. A 46-yard touchdown pass from Len Dawson to Otis Taylor sealed the win. Dawson was named MVP. Safety Johnny Robinson played great, with two interceptions, even with three broken ribs. The Chiefs won 23–7 against the Minnesota Vikings. This was the last game between the AFL and NFL before they fully merged. A victory parade was held in downtown Kansas City. Super Bowl IV was the Chiefs' last championship until Super Bowl LIV.

Joining the NFL

A Tough Time: 1970–1977

After their championship, the Chiefs joined the new AFC West division in the NFL. They traded running back Mike Garrett in 1970. Ed Podolak took his place. The Chiefs had a 3–3–1 record halfway through the season. They tied a game with the Raiders 17–17. A controversial play where Raiders player Ben Davidson hit Len Dawson after a play cost the Chiefs a win. This made the Chiefs-Raiders rivalry even more intense. The tie kept the Chiefs from winning the AFC West title. They finished 7–5–2.

Many thought the 1971 Chiefs were the best team the franchise ever had. They had a record 11 Pro Bowlers. Otis Taylor led the league in receiving yards. Ed Podolak became the team's all-time leading rusher. The linebackers Willie Lanier, Bobby Bell, and Jim Lynch were the best in the league.

The team started 5–1–1 and finished 10–3–1. They won their first AFC West title. But their great season ended in the longest game in NFL history. It was a Christmas Day playoff game against the Miami Dolphins. The game lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds. Miami won 27–24 in double overtime. This was the last football game at Municipal Stadium. It was the Chiefs' last playoff game for 15 years.

In 1972, the last original Dallas Texans player, safety Johnny Robinson, retired. Quarterback Len Dawson signed a new contract. Owner Lamar Hunt became the first AFL person to be put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

After many delays, Arrowhead Stadium opened on August 12. The Chiefs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 24–14. Ed Podolak scored the first touchdown in the new stadium. On September 17, the Chiefs lost their first regular season game at Arrowhead to Miami. A huge crowd of 82,094 fans watched them beat Oakland on November 5. This was the biggest crowd ever at Arrowhead. The Chiefs finished 8–6, second in the AFC West. Linebacker Willie Lanier won the NFL Man of the Year Award.

In 1973, Len Dawson and Mike Livingston shared time at quarterback. The Chiefs started 3–1. They were in first place in mid-November with a 6–3–1 record. But they struggled at the end of the season. They finished 7–5–2. Len Dawson also won the NFL Man of the Year Award.

By 1974, many Chiefs players were getting old. Len Dawson was 39. The team had its first losing season in 11 years, finishing 5–9. Cornerback Emmitt Thomas had a team-record 12 interceptions. The last game of 1974 was the final time all five of the Chiefs' future Hall of Fame players from the AFL championship era played together. Coach Hank Stram was fired on December 27. He was the only head coach in franchise history until then.

Paul Wiggin became the new head coach in 1975. The team's talent was low due to age and bad trades. They started 0–3 but then won three straight. A big win was 34–31 against Dallas on Monday Night Football. But injuries hurt the team. They lost their last four games and finished 5–9 again. Len Dawson and Buck Buchanan played their last games in the Hall of Fame careers.

In 1976, many championship players left. Buck Buchanan retired in February. Dawson retired in May. The team started 0–4, their worst start ever. They lost 50–17 to Buffalo. They finished 5–9 for the third year in a row. Running back MacArthur Lane led the league in receptions.

The Chiefs had their worst season ever in 1977. They won only two games. Coach Wiggin was fired on Halloween. Defensive backs coach Tom Bettis became interim coach. He won his first game, but it was his only win. Bettis and his staff were fired on December 19. Marv Levy became the new head coach. Linebackers Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch retired.

Getting Better: 1978–1982

In 1978, Marv Levy started rebuilding the defense. They drafted defensive end Art Still and linebacker Gary Spani. Running back Ed Podolak retired. Levy used a special "Wing-T offense" to run the ball a lot. They wanted to keep their defense off the field. The 1978 Chiefs ran the ball 663 times, a team record. Running back Tony Reed rushed for 1,053 yards. The team finished 4–12.

In 1979, the Chiefs drafted defensive end Mike Bell and quarterback Steve Fuller. Fuller became the starter. The Chiefs started 4–2. But they lost five games in the middle of the season. They finished 7–9. All other teams in their division had winning records.

In 1980, the Chiefs drafted guard Brad Budde. His father, Ed Budde, also played for the Chiefs. This was the first time a father and son were first-round picks for the same NFL team. The Chiefs released kicker Jan Stenerud. Nick Lowery replaced him.

After an 0–4 start, the team won four straight games. Quarterback Bill Kenney became the starter. He led the team to a 31–14 win against Denver. Defensive end Art Still and safety Gary Barbaro made the Pro Bowl. The Chiefs finished 8–8, their best record since 1972.

"I've played against the best—O. J. Simpson, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton and (Delaney) ranks right up there with them ... He is great with a capital G."

~Elvin Bethea, Houston Oilers hall of fame defensive end.

Bill Kenney started as quarterback in 1981. The Chiefs started 6–2. Running back Joe Delaney rushed for 1,121 yards, a team record at the time. He was named AFC Rookie of the Year. He made the Pro Bowl.

The Chiefs had an 8–4 record and hoped to make the playoffs. But they lost three straight games. Bill Kenney was injured. Steve Fuller took over. The Chiefs finished 9–7, their first winning record since 1973. Coach Marv Levy improved the team's record for three years in a row.

In 1982, Joe Delaney had eye surgery. The NFL players went on a 57-day strike. Six games were canceled. The Chiefs never recovered. They lost four straight games after the strike. Center Jack Rudnay retired. The Chiefs finished 3–6 in the shortened season. The Levy era ended.

Changes and Challenges: 1983–1988

1983

The Chiefs fired coach Marv Levy in January 1983. John Mackovic became the new head coach. He was the youngest head coach for the team at 39. The Chiefs picked quarterback Todd Blackledge with the seventh pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. Other famous quarterbacks like John Elway and Dan Marino were also drafted that year.

Tragedy struck on June 29 when Joe Delaney drowned trying to save three children. He was given the Presidential Citizen's Medal after his death. Linebacker Bobby Bell became the first Chiefs player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 30.

Bill Kenney had a great year, throwing for a team-record 4,348 yards. Wide receiver Carlos Carson caught 80 passes for 1,351 yards. The Chiefs lost a wild game to the Seattle Seahawks 51–48 in overtime. Only 11,377 fans came to the last home game. The Chiefs finished 6–10.

1984

Safety Gary Barbaro left the Chiefs for another league. This led to a youth movement in the team's secondary (defensive backfield). Cornerbacks Kevin Ross and Albert Lewis, and safeties Deron Cherry and Lloyd Burruss became key players. They made many Pro Bowls.

The Chiefs drafted defensive tackle Bill Maas and offensive tackle John Alt. Maas was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Alt became a strong player on the offensive line. The Chiefs defense had 11 sacks in one game.

Quarterback Bill Kenney was injured in the pre-season. Todd Blackledge started the first six games. The team was 3–3. Kenney returned, but the team was inconsistent. They finished 8–8.

1985

The Chiefs started 1985 with a big 47–27 win. Safety Deron Cherry tied an NFL record with four interceptions in one game. The team was 3–1. But then they lost seven games in a row. Todd Blackledge became the starter again. The team won three of its last five games.

Wide receiver Stephone Paige had a great game against San Diego. He set an NFL record with 309 receiving yards in a 38–34 win. The Chiefs finished 6–10.

1986

Linebacker Willie Lanier was put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 2. Coach John Mackovic's team started to play better. The offense scored a lot. The defense and special teams were strong. Bill Kenney replaced Todd Blackledge as quarterback. The Chiefs won four straight games. They were 7–3 after 10 games. But three losses in November put their playoff chances in doubt.

The Chiefs won their last game against Pittsburgh 24–19. All their points came from special teams (blocked punt, field goal, kickoff return, blocked field goal return). With a 10–6 record, the Chiefs made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Bill Kenney was injured, so Todd Blackledge started the playoff game. The Chiefs lost 35–15 to the New York Jets.

1987

After the playoff loss, coach John Mackovic was fired. Assistant coach Frank Gansz became the new head coach. Former quarterback Len Dawson was put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8. Running back Paul Palmer returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the first game. Christian Okoye rushed for 105 yards.

A 24-day players' strike began on September 22. Replacement players played for three weeks. The Chiefs' replacement team lost all three games. The regular players returned, but the Chiefs lost five more games. They had a team-record nine-game losing streak. Five different players started at quarterback. The Chiefs finished the strike-shortened season 4–11.

1988

The Chiefs made some trades to improve. Quarterback Todd Blackledge was traded. Veteran quarterback Steve DeBerg was acquired. The Chiefs drafted defensive end Neil Smith. Bill Kenney started the first two games, but DeBerg took over. The team struggled, finishing 4–11–1.

President Jack Steadman resigned. General manager Jim Schaaf was fired. Carl Peterson was hired as the new president/general manager.

A New Era: The "Martyball" Years (1989–2000)

Coach Frank Gansz was fired in January 1989. Carl Peterson hired Marty Schottenheimer as the new head coach. Schottenheimer was known for his tough, run-first style of play, sometimes called "Martyball." The Chiefs drafted linebacker Derrick Thomas. Thomas and Neil Smith became a feared pass-rushing duo. They had over 200 sacks together.

The season started with a loss. Quarterback Steve DeBerg struggled. Other quarterbacks played, but DeBerg got the starting job back. The Chiefs won four of their last five games. They finished 8–7–1, just missing the playoffs. Running back Christian Okoye led the NFL in rushing with 1,480 yards. Derrick Thomas was named NFL Rookie of the Year.

1990

The Chiefs drafted center Tim Grunhard and guard Dave Szott. They became key players on the offensive line. Former defensive tackle Buck Buchanan was put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Chiefs played a pre-season game in Berlin, Germany. They started the season winning three of their first four games.

Running back Barry Word rushed for a team-record 200 yards in one game. Kansas City led the NFL with 60 sacks. Derrick Thomas had a team-record 20 sacks. He also set an NFL record with 7 sacks in one game against Seattle. The Chiefs won six of their last seven games. They finished 11–5, their best record since 1969. They made the playoffs for the first time since 1986. They lost a close game to Miami 17–16 in the AFC Wild Card game. Kicker Nick Lowery's last-second field goal attempt was too short.

1991

Former kicker Jan Stenerud became the first kicker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Chiefs moved their training camp to Wisconsin. They beat the Atlanta Falcons 14–3 in their home opener.

The Chiefs played on Monday Night Football three times. They beat the Buffalo Bills 33–6 at home. The Chiefs finished 10–6. They made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1968–69. They beat the Los Angeles Raiders 10–6 in their first home playoff game in 20 years. The Chiefs then lost to Buffalo 37–14 in the AFC Divisional Playoff.

1992

Quarterback Dave Krieg signed with the Chiefs. The team mourned the deaths of Player Personnel Director Whitey Dovell and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Buck Buchanan. Safety Deron Cherry retired. The Chiefs retired the jerseys of Buck Buchanan (#86), Willie Lanier (#63), and Jan Stenerud (#3).

Rookie cornerback Dale Carter won the NFL's Rookie of the Year award. He returned a punt for a touchdown in his first NFL game. Running back Christian Okoye became the team's all-time leading rusher. The Chiefs started 3–1. They won four straight games late in the season. They finished 10–6 and made the playoffs. But they lost to San Diego 17–0 in the AFC Wild Card game.

1993

The Chiefs changed their offense to the "West Coast offense". On April 20, the Chiefs traded for Joe Montana. Montana had led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl wins. Guard Will Shields was drafted. He became a key player on the offensive line for many years.

On June 9, the Chiefs signed running back Marcus Allen. He had played for the rival Los Angeles Raiders for 11 seasons. Montana and Allen played their first game together in a 27–3 win. The Chiefs were 6–2 at mid-season. They won their first AFC West title since 1971. They finished the season with an 11–5 record. Linebacker Derrick Thomas was named the NFL's Man of the Year. He was honored for his work promoting children's reading.

Kansas City saw "Montana Magic" in the playoffs. He led a comeback in a 27–24 overtime win against Pittsburgh. Then, they beat the strong Houston Oilers 28–20. The Chiefs reached the AFC Championship Game for the first time. They lost to Buffalo 30–13. The win over the Oilers was the last time the Chiefs won a playoff game until 2015.

1994

After 1993, some key players left, like cornerbacks Albert Lewis and Kevin Ross. Quarterback Steve Bono was traded to the Chiefs to back up Joe Montana. A grass field was put in at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs played a pre-season game in Tokyo, Japan.

On September 11, Steve Young and the San Francisco 49ers played Joe Montana and the Chiefs. The Chiefs won 24–17 in a highly anticipated game. The Chiefs started 3–0. They beat Denver 31–28 on Monday Night Football with a late touchdown pass from Montana. A late-season losing streak put their playoff hopes in danger. The Chiefs needed to win their last game against the Raiders. Marcus Allen had a great game against his old team. The Chiefs won 19–9 and made the playoffs. But they lost to Miami 27–17 in Montana's last professional game.

1995

Joe Montana retired from football on April 18. Steve Bono became the starting quarterback. Many experts thought the Chiefs would struggle. But Kansas City had the best record in the NFL at 13–3. They were undefeated at home (8–0) and in their division (8–0). The Chiefs led the NFL in rushing offense, scoring defense, and turnover ratio.

A 76-yard touchdown run by Bono started a seven-game winning streak. Wide receiver Tamarick Vanover returned a punt for an 86-yard touchdown to win a game against San Diego. Marcus Allen scored his 100th rushing touchdown. The Chiefs clinched their division title. Seven Chiefs players made the Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, the Chiefs lost to the Indianapolis Colts 10–7. Three interceptions and three missed field goals hurt the team.

1996

The Chiefs started 1996 with a 4–0 record, a team first. But they lost three of their next four games. A three-game winning streak, including a win over the Green Bay Packers, put them back in playoff contention.

Quarterback Steve Bono was replaced by Rich Gannon. Marcus Allen scored his 111th career rushing touchdown, passing Walter Payton. The Chiefs needed one more win to make the playoffs. But they lost their last two games. They finished 9–7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1989.

1997

Kansas City changed many players in 1997. They signed quarterback Elvis Grbac. Eleven new starters joined the team. Wide receiver Andre Rison made the Pro Bowl. Safeties Jerome Woods and Reggie Tongue, defensive end John Browning, and linebacker Donnie Edwards became starters.

The new team played well together. They had a 13–3 record and were 8–0 at Arrowhead. They won their second AFC West title in three years. They had many exciting finishes. Grbac threw a 32-yard touchdown pass with 3 seconds left to beat Oakland. The defense stopped Buffalo at the goal line to win. Grbac broke his collarbone against Pittsburgh. But Rich Gannon led the team to a 5–1 record in the next six games.

Kicker Pete Stoyanovich made a 54-yard field goal as time ran out to beat Denver. The Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 44–9. The Chiefs defense was amazing. They allowed only 14.5 points per game, the lowest in team history for a 16-game season. They did not allow a second-half touchdown in 10 straight games. Grbac returned for the last game. The Chiefs finished with six straight wins.

The Chiefs' 13–3 record gave them home-field advantage in the AFC Playoffs. But they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos 14–10 in the Divisional round.

1998

In 1998, the Chiefs fell to 7–9 with Elvis Grbac as quarterback. Coach Marty Schottenheimer was blamed for playoff losses and his careful coaching style. He resigned after the 1998 season.

1999

Schottenheimer's defensive coach, Gunther Cunningham, became the new head coach. The team did not improve much, going 9–7 and 7–9 in his two years. After the loss of Derrick Thomas, the defense struggled. The Chiefs won games mostly because of their high-scoring offense.

The Chiefs in the Early 2000s: 2001-2017

Powerful Offense: 2001–2005

2001

Dick Vermeil, who coached the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl, became the head coach in 2001. He said he would have the team ready for the Super Bowl "within three years." Vermeil stayed in Kansas City for five years.

Quarterback Elvis Grbac left the team. Vermeil replaced him with Trent Green. Running back Priest Holmes also joined the team. He had been a backup for the Baltimore Ravens. New offensive linemen like Willie Roaf, Casey Wiegmann, Brian Waters, and John Welbourn helped create a strong offense. Holmes later broke Marshall Faulk's record of 26 touchdowns in a season.

Vermeil brought his high-scoring offense from St. Louis to Kansas City. But like the Schottenheimer era, the offense did not win any playoff games.

2003

The Chiefs went 13–3 in 2003. Their offense was one of the best ever. Many thought Kansas City would win Super Bowl XXXVIII. They started 9–0. But they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs still got the number two seed in the 2004 playoffs. But they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional playoffs. It was a high-scoring game where neither team punted. The Chiefs' defense was criticized after the loss.

2004

This playoff loss led to a poor season in 2004. The Chiefs finished 7–9. Gunther Cunningham returned as defensive coordinator. But the defense did not improve much. The offense could not score as many points as the year before.

2005

For 2005, the Chiefs brought in new players to improve their defense. Larry Johnson became the starting running back because Priest Holmes was injured. The Chiefs won 10 games. But they became only the fourth team in NFL history to win 10 games and miss the playoffs.

Rebuilding the Team: 2006–2012

2006

Coach Dick Vermeil announced his retirement. Herman Edwards, the New York Jets head coach, signed a contract to coach the Chiefs. The 2006 Chiefs returned to the playoffs. But they lost 23–8 to the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round.

Chiefs owner and founder Lamar Hunt died on December 13, 2006. He had battled prostate cancer for 10 years. Hunt was honored throughout the NFL. His oldest son, Clark, became chairman and CEO of the Chiefs. He now leads the team.

2007

The Chiefs' 2007 off-season had some changes. There were talks about Tony Gonzalez's contract and Trent Green's future. Green was traded to the Miami Dolphins.

The Chiefs' 2007 training camp was shown in the HBO documentary Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs.

After a strong 4–3 start, the Chiefs' offense struggled. They used five different running backs after Larry Johnson was injured. Quarterbacks Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle shared time. The team finished with a nine-game losing streak. They had a 4–12 record. This was their first season with 12 losses since 1978.

Coach Herman Edwards continued to build the team with young players. The Chiefs wore a special AFL patch with "LH" (for Lamar Hunt) on their uniforms.

2008–2012

In the 2008 season opener, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was injured by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. This ended Brady's season. The Chiefs finished with a franchise-worst 2–14 record.

The team acquired quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel from New England. They also hired Scott Pioli as general manager. Coach Herm Edwards was fired. Todd Haley became the new head coach.

The Chiefs started 2009 by losing five games. But they beat the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime. They finished 4–12. Running back Jamaal Charles set a franchise record with 259 rushing yards in one game.

The Chiefs started 2010 with a 3–0 record. They beat San Diego on Monday Night Football. They were the only undefeated team in the NFL during their bye week. They finished 10–6 and won their first division title since 2003. But they lost to the Baltimore Ravens 30–7 in the wild card playoffs.

Kansas City lost its first three games in 2011. Running back Jamaal Charles was injured for the season. But the Chiefs won their next four games, including an overtime win against San Diego. Quarterback Matt Cassel was injured for the season. Coach Todd Haley was fired. Romeo Crennel became interim head coach. Quarterback Kyle Orton was acquired. The Chiefs beat the undefeated Green Bay Packers. They finished 7–9.

The Chiefs had a very bad season in 2012. Their passing game was one of the worst ever. Quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn struggled. Despite having five Pro Bowlers, the Chiefs finished 2–14.

After the 2012 season, coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli were fired. On January 4, the Chiefs hired former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid. On January 13, John Dorsey became the new general manager.

The Andy Reid Era: 2013–Present

2013

Because of their 2–14 record, the Chiefs had the #1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. This was the first time in team history they had the top pick without trading for it. Eight weeks before the draft, the Chiefs traded for quarterback Alex Smith. He had been benched by the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs drafted Eric Fisher with the first pick. They also drafted future Pro Bowler Travis Kelce in the third round.

The Chiefs started the 2013 season with an amazing 9–0 record. This tied the 2003 team for the best start in franchise history. They were the last undefeated team in 2013. But they struggled in the second half, going 2–5.

The Chiefs still made the playoffs as a wildcard. They played the Indianapolis Colts. The Chiefs had a big 38–10 lead in the third quarter. But the Colts came back and won 45–44. The Chiefs lost their first playoff game in 20 years.

2014

In the 2014 NFL Draft, the Chiefs picked linebacker Dee Ford. They also drafted future starter Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

The Chiefs did not start well in 2014. They lost their first two games. But after a bye week, they won five straight games. They beat the St. Louis Rams, New York Jets, and Seattle Seahawks. This put them at a 7–3 record.

But then they lost to the winless Oakland Raiders. This started a three-game losing streak. The Chiefs finished 9–7 and missed the playoffs. Linebacker Justin Houston had a great season. He set a franchise record with 22 sacks, just shy of the NFL record.

2015

In the 2015 NFL Draft, the Chiefs picked cornerback Marcus Peters. He became Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowler. They also drafted future starters Mitch Morse, Chris Conley, and Steven Nelson.

The Chiefs won their first game. But they lost a close game to the Denver Broncos. This was the first of five straight losses. The team was 1–5.

But then the Chiefs started an amazing 11-game winning streak. They beat the Denver Broncos. This streak helped them make the 2015–16 NFL playoffs. They clinched a playoff spot in Week 16. They had a chance to win the AFC West title. They beat the Oakland Raiders. But the San Diego Chargers lost to the Broncos, so Denver won the division.

In their first playoff game, the Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 30–0. This was their first playoff win since 1993. They then played the New England Patriots on the road. The Chiefs lost 27–20.

Marcus Peters won Defensive Rookie of the Year. Safety Eric Berry won Comeback Player of the Year. He played well after beating cancer.

2016

In the 2016 NFL Draft, the Chiefs drafted Chris Jones. They also drafted future three-time Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill.

The Chiefs started the season 2–2. They then won five straight games. They were 7–2. But they lost two close home games to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans. This put them at 10–4.

Heading into Week 17, the Chiefs were 11–4. The Oakland Raiders were 12–3. The Chiefs needed to win and the Raiders to lose to win the division. The Raiders lost. The Chiefs beat the San Diego Chargers (their last game in San Diego). This clinched the division and a first-round bye for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs were the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs. They played the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs defense held Pittsburgh to field goals. But the Chiefs offense only scored 16 points. The Steelers won 18–16. This was another close playoff loss for the Chiefs.

2017

In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chiefs traded up to draft Patrick Mahomes. He was their first quarterback drafted in the first round since 1983. Mahomes only started one game in 2017. But he was seen as the future of the team. John Dorsey was fired as general manager. Brett Veach was promoted.

The Chiefs started the season strong, going 5–0. But then they lost six of seven games. They were 6–6. They needed a win against the Los Angeles Chargers. They beat the Chargers and moved to 7–6. The Chiefs won their next two games and clinched the AFC West title. This was the first time they won consecutive division titles. Mahomes started his first career game in Week 17. The Chiefs finished 10–6.

In the 2017–18 NFL playoffs, the Chiefs played the Tennessee Titans. The Chiefs had an early 21–3 lead. But the Titans came back and won 22–21. Rookie running back Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing yards. He was named Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Reid/Mahomes Era: 2018–Present

2018: First AFC Championship Game in 25 Years

After the playoff loss to the Titans, quarterback Alex Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins. The Chiefs received Kendall Fuller and a draft pick.

In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Chiefs focused on defense. They drafted only defensive players.

The Chiefs started 2018 with a 5–0 record. Patrick Mahomes threw 10 touchdown passes in his first two games. He finished the season with over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. He was only the second quarterback in NFL history to do this. The Chiefs lost a high-scoring game to the New England Patriots 54–51. They were the first team to score 50 points and lose.

The Chiefs won their next two games and clinched a playoff spot. They lost to the Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks. But they beat the Oakland Raiders 35–3 in the last game. This clinched their third straight AFC West title and the #1 seed in the AFC.

In the 2018–19 NFL playoffs, the Chiefs played the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts had beaten the Chiefs four times in the playoffs. But the Chiefs won 31–13. They scored four rushing touchdowns. This win meant the Chiefs would host the AFC Championship Game for the first time ever.

In the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs played the New England Patriots. The Patriots led 14–0 at halftime. But the Chiefs came back and led 21–17 in the fourth quarter. The teams traded scores. The Chiefs tied the game with a field goal to send it to overtime. But the Patriots won the coin toss. They scored a touchdown and won 37–31. This was the third straight year the Chiefs lost a playoff game by six points or less.

The 2018 Chiefs were the first team in NFL history to score at least 26 points in all their games.

2019: First Super Bowl in 50 Years

In the 2019 off-season, many key players left the Chiefs. These included Dee Ford, Mitch Morse, and Justin Houston. The Chiefs hired Steve Spagnuolo as their new defensive coordinator.

Kansas City started 2019 with a 4–0 record. But they lost to the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap. He missed two weeks. After another loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Chiefs won their remaining games. They beat the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City. They also beat the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. The Chiefs finished 12–4. They won the AFC West title and got a first-round bye in the playoffs for the second year in a row.

In the Divisional playoffs, Kansas City played the Houston Texans again. The Chiefs fell behind 24–0 in the second quarter. But they scored 41 unanswered points! They won 51–31. This was the first time in NFL playoff history a team came back from a 20-point deficit to win by 20 points. The Chiefs then played the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game. They were down 10–0 early. But Mahomes led them to a 35–24 victory. This was their first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years.

In Super Bowl LIV, the Chiefs were down 20–10 in the fourth quarter. But they came back and won 31–20. This was their first Super Bowl win in 50 years and second overall. Patrick Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP for his great play.

2020: Back to the Super Bowl

After their huge 2019 season, the Chiefs wanted to keep winning. Running back Damien Williams chose not to play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chiefs drafted star running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

The 2020 season was amazing for the Chiefs. They started 4–0 for the fourth straight year, an NFL record. They broke their franchise record for longest winning streak at 12 games. Their first loss was to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs then won 10 straight games. They finished with a league-best 14–2 record.

In the playoffs, the Chiefs played the Cleveland Browns. The Chiefs led 19–3. But Patrick Mahomes got a minor concussion. Backup quarterback Chad Henne made a risky play on fourth down to seal the 22–17 victory. In their third straight AFC Championship Game at home, the Chiefs played the Buffalo Bills. They were down 9–0. But the Chiefs scored three straight touchdowns. They won 38–24. They won their second straight Lamar Hunt trophy.

Super Bowl LV was against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was the fifth game between Mahomes and Tom Brady. The Chiefs struggled and did not score a single touchdown. The Buccaneers won 31–9. The Chiefs did not win their second straight NFL title.

2021: Losing at the AFC Championship

The Chiefs had another strong season in 2021. They made it to the AFC Championship game again. But they lost a close game, ending their Super Bowl hopes.

2022–23: Back-to-Back Super Bowls

In 2022, the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LVII. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35. This was their third Super Bowl win. In 2023, they played the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. It was a rematch of Super Bowl LIV. They beat the 49ers 25–22 in overtime. This was only the second Super Bowl to go into overtime. The Chiefs became the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005.

Chiefs Quarterbacks

Over the Chiefs' six decades, 12 starting quarterbacks have led the team. Famous ones include Hall of Famers Len Dawson and Joe Montana. Trent Green was also a very good quarterback for the team.

In recent decades, the Chiefs often used experienced quarterbacks. The last quarterback drafted by Kansas City to become a starter was Bill Kenney in 1980. After Kenney retired in 1988, the Chiefs did not draft and develop their own starting quarterback for a long time. Brodie Croyle was drafted in 2006 and started some games. When coach Herman Edwards arrived in 2006, he wanted to play younger players. The Chiefs got Matt Cassel in a trade in 2009. He was expected to be the team's main quarterback but was released in 2013.

The Chiefs have also had backup quarterbacks who played well when starters were injured. Mike Livingston led the Chiefs to the playoffs in 1969 after Len Dawson was hurt. More recently, Rich Gannon played well when Elvis Grbac was injured in 1997. But Grbac returned for the playoffs, and the Chiefs lost. In 2006, Damon Huard led the Chiefs to a 5–2 record when Trent Green was out. But Huard did not play in the playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Head Coaches

Name	From	To	Record			Championships
			W	L	T
Hank Stram	December 20, 1959	December 27, 1974	124	76	10	3
Paul Wiggin	January 23, 1975	October 31, 1977	11	24	0
Tom Bettis †	October 31, 1977	December 19, 1977	1	6	0
Marv Levy	December 20, 1977	January 4, 1983	31	42	0
John Mackovic	February 2, 1983	January 8, 1987	30	34	0
Frank Gansz	January 10, 1987	January 5, 1989	8	22	1
Marty Schottenheimer	January 24, 1989	January 11, 1999	103	58	1
Gunther Cunningham	January 22, 1999	January 5, 2001	16	16	0
Dick Vermeil	January 12, 2001	January 1, 2006	44	36	0
Herm Edwards	January 9, 2006	January 24, 2009	15	34	0
Todd Haley	February 6, 2009	December 12, 2011	19	26	0
Romeo Crennel	December 12, 2011	December 31, 2012	4	15	0
Andy Reid	January 4, 2013	Present	110	44	0	3

† = Interim head coach

Images for kids

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