Kansas City Chiefs

**History** edit **American Football League** edit In 1959, Lamar Hunt began talking with other businessmen about creating a professional football league to rival the National Football League. Hunt's desire to secure a football team rose after watching the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the New York Giants and Baltimore Colts. After he tried and failed to buy the NFL's Chicago Cardinals and move the team to his hometown of Dallas, Texas, Hunt went to the NFL and asked to create an expansion franchise in Dallas. The NFL turned him down, so Hunt established the American Football League and started his own team, the Dallas Texans, to begin play in 1960. Hunt hired a little-known assistant coach from the University of Miami football team, Hank Stram, to be the team's head coach after the job offer was declined by Bud Wilkinson and Tom Landry. Don Klosterman, hired as head scout, was widely credited for luring a wealth of talent to the Texans from the NFL, often hiding players and using creative means to land them. The Texans shared the Cotton Bowl with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys for three seasons. The Texans were to have exclusive access to the stadium until the NFL put an expansion team, the Dallas Cowboys, there. While the team averaged a league-best 24,500 at the Cotton Bowl, the Texans gained less attention due to the AFL's relatively lower profile compared to the NFL's. In the franchise's first two seasons, the team managed records of 8–6 and 6–8. In their third season, the Texans tallied an 11–3 record and a berth in the team's first American Football League Championship Game, against the Houston Oilers. The game was broadcast nationally on ABC and the Texans defeated the Oilers 20–17 in double overtime. The game lasted 77 minutes and 54 seconds, setting a record for longest game in professional American football. It is still the longest championship game in American Football League history. It turned out to be the last game the team would play as the Dallas Texans. Despite competing against a Cowboys team that managed only a 9–28–3 record in their first three seasons, Hunt decided that the Dallas–Fort Worth media market couldn't sustain two professional football franchises. He considered moving the Texans to either Atlanta or Miami for the 1963 season. He was ultimately swayed by an offer from Kansas City Mayor Harold Roe Bartle. Bartle promised to triple the franchise's season ticket sales and expand the seating capacity of Municipal Stadium to accommodate the team. Hunt agreed to move the franchise to Kansas City on May 22, 1963, and on May 26, the team was renamed the Kansas City Chiefs. Hunt and head coach Hank Stram initially planned to retain the Texans name, but a fan contest determined the new "Chiefs" name in honor of Mayor Bartle's nickname that he acquired in his professional role as Scout Executive of the St. Joseph and Kansas City Boy Scout Councils, and founder of the Scouting Society, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Despite the historical use of Native American features, it has been acknowledged that the team's naming was not a direct reference to Native Americans but only to Bartle's nickname "Chief". Business Insider journalist Meredith Cash even stated in January 2020 that Bartle "insisted on the team being named after himself" and that "Bartle was known as Chief Lone Bear within Mic-O-Say circles, and eventually the nickname "Chief" caught on among people throughout Kansas City." The franchise became one of the strongest teams in the now thriving American Football League, with the most playoff appearances for an AFL team (tied with the Oakland Raiders), and the most AFL Championships (three). The team's dominance helped Lamar Hunt become a central figure in negotiations with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle to agree on an AFL–NFL merger. The leagues' officials agreed to hold a merged league championship game in January 1967, after the 1966 seasons ended. Hunt insisted on calling the game the "Super Bowl" after seeing his children playing with a popular toy at the time, a Super Ball. While the first few games were designated the "AFL–NFL World Championship Game", the Super Bowl name became its officially licensed title in years to come. The Chiefs cruised to an 11–2–1 record in 1966, and defeated the defending AFL Champion Buffalo Bills in the AFL Championship Game. The Chiefs were invited to play the NFL's league champion Green Bay Packers in the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game. Kansas City and Green Bay played a close game for the first half, but Green Bay took control in the final two quarters, winning the game by a score of 35–10. The Chiefs lost the game but gained the respect of several Packers opponents after the game. The Chiefs' inter-league match-up with the Packers was not the last time that they would face an NFL opponent, especially on the championship stage. The next August, Kansas City hosted the NFL's Chicago Bears in the 1967 preseason and won the game 66–24. Despite losing to the division rival Oakland Raiders twice in the regular season in 1969, the two teams met for a third time in the AFL Championship Game, where Kansas City won 17–7. Backup quarterback Mike Livingston led the team in a six-game winning streak after Len Dawson suffered a leg injury that kept him out of most of the season's games. While getting plenty of help from the club's defense, Dawson returned from the injury and led the Chiefs to Super Bowl IV. Against the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings, who were favored by 12+1⁄2, the Chiefs dominated the game 23–7 to claim the team's first Super Bowl championship. Dawson was named the game's Most Valuable Player after completing 12-of-17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown, with 1 interception. The following season, the Chiefs and the rest of the American Football League merged with the National Football League after the AFL–NFL merger became official. The Chiefs were placed in the American Football Conference's West Division. From 1960 to 1969, the Chiefs/Texans won 87 games, which is the most in the ten-year history of the AFL. **Hank Stram leaves team** edit In 1970, the Chiefs finished 7–5–2 and missed the playoffs. The next season, the Chiefs tallied a 10–3–1 record and won the AFC West Division. Head coach Hank Stram considered his 1971 Chiefs team as his best, but they failed to capture their championship dominance from 1969. Most of the pieces of the team that won Super Bowl IV two years earlier were still in place for the 1971 season. The Chiefs tied with the Miami Dolphins for the best record in the AFC, and both teams met in a Christmas Day playoff game which the Chiefs lost 27–24 in double overtime. The Dolphins outlasted the Chiefs with a 37-yard field goal. The game surpassed the 1962 AFL Championship Game as the longest ever at 82 minutes and 40 seconds. The game was also the final football game at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium. In 1972, the Chiefs moved into the newly constructed Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex outside of downtown Kansas City. The team's first game at Arrowhead was against the St. Louis Cardinals, a preseason game that the Chiefs won 24–14. Linebacker Willie Lanier and quarterback Len Dawson won the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1972 and 1973, respectively. The Chiefs did not return to the post-season for the remainder of the 1970s, and the 1973 season was the team's last winning season for seven years. Hank Stram was fired after a 5–9 season in 1974, and many of the Chiefs' future Hall of Fame players departed by the middle of the decade. From 1975 to 1988, the Chiefs had become a team that rarely won, which provided Chiefs fans with nothing but futility. Five head coaches struggled to achieve the same success as Stram, compiling an 81–121–1 record. In 1980, Coach Marv Levy cut future Hall of Fame Kicker Jan Stenerud for little-known Nick Lowery, who would become the most accurate kicker in NFL history over the next 14 years. In 1981, running back Joe Delaney rushed for 1,121 yards and was named the AFC Rookie of the Year. The Chiefs finished the season with a 9–7 record and entered the 1982 season with optimism. The NFL Players Association strike curbed the Chiefs' chances of returning to the postseason for the first time in over a decade. The Chiefs tallied a 3–6 record and in the off-season, Joe Delaney died while trying to save several children from drowning in a pond near his home in Louisiana. The Chiefs drafted quarterback Todd Blackledge over future greats such as Jim Kelly and Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL draft. Blackledge never started a full season for Kansas City while Kelly and Marino played Hall of Fame careers. While the Chiefs struggled on offense in the 1980s, they had a strong defensive unit consisting of Pro Bowlers such as Bill Maas, Albert Lewis, Art Still and Deron Cherry. John Mackovic took over head coaching duties for the 1983 season after Marv Levy was fired. Over the next four seasons, Mackovic coached the Chiefs to a 30–34 record, but took the team to its first postseason appearance in 15 years in the 1986 NFL playoffs. They lost to the New York Jets in the wild card round. Despite leading the Chiefs to only their third winning season and second playoff appearance since the merger, Mackovic was fired for what Hunt described as a lack of chemistry. Frank Gansz served as head coach for the next two seasons, but won only eight of 31 games. **Marty Schottenheimer era (1989–1998)** edit The Chiefs under Marty Schottenheimer had the second highest regular season winning percentage (.646) in the NFL during the 1990s. On December 19, 1988, owner Lamar Hunt hired Carl Peterson as the team's new president, general manager, and chief executive officer. Peterson fired head coach Frank Gansz two weeks after taking over and hired Marty Schottenheimer as the club's seventh head coach. In the 1988 and 1989 NFL drafts, the Chiefs selected both defensive end Neil Smith and linebacker Derrick Thomas, respectively. The defense that Thomas and Smith anchored in their seven seasons together was a big reason why the Chiefs reached the postseason in six straight years. In Schottenheimer's tenure as head coach, the Chiefs became a perennial playoff contender, featuring offensive players including Steve DeBerg, Christian Okoye, Stephone Paige and Barry Word, a strong defense, anchored by Thomas, Smith, Albert Lewis and Deron Cherry, and on special teams, Nick Lowery, who was then the most accurate kicker in NFL History. The team recorded a 101–58–1 record, and clinched seven playoff berths. The Chiefs' 1993 season was the franchise's most successful in 22 years. With newly acquired quarterback Joe Montana and running back Marcus Allen, two former Super Bowl champions and Most Valuable Player Award winners, the Chiefs further strengthened their position in the NFL. The 11–5 Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers on their way to the franchise's first AFC Championship Game appearance against the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs were overwhelmed by the Bills and lost the game by a score of 30–13. The Chiefs' victory on January 16, 1994, against the Oilers remained the franchise's last post season victory for 22 years until their 30–0 victory over the Houston Texans on January 9, 2016. In the 1995 NFL playoffs, the 13–3 Chiefs hosted the Indianapolis Colts in a cold, damp late afternoon game at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City lost the game 10–7 against the underdog Colts, after kicker Lin Elliot missed three field goal attempts and quarterback Steve Bono threw three interceptions. The Chiefs selected tight end Tony Gonzalez with the 13th overall selection in the 1997 NFL draft, a move which some considered to be a gamble being that Gonzalez was primarily a basketball player at California. During a 1997 season full of injuries to starting quarterback Elvis Grbac, backup quarterback Rich Gannon took the reins of the Chiefs' offense as the team headed to another 13–3 season. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer chose Grbac to start the playoff game against the Denver Broncos despite Gannon's successes in previous weeks. Grbac's production in the game was lacking, and the Chiefs lost to the Broncos 14–10. Denver went on to capture their fifth AFC Championship by defeating Pittsburgh and then defeated the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Coach Schottenheimer announced his resignation from the Chiefs after the 1998 season. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham took over coaching duties for the next two seasons, compiling a 16–16 record. By the end of the Chiefs' decade of regular season dominance, Gannon had signed with the Oakland Raiders, Neil Smith signed with the Denver Broncos, and Derrick Thomas was paralyzed in a car accident on January 23, 2000. Thomas died from complications of his injury weeks later. Head coach Gunther Cunningham was fired. **Dick Vermeil years (2001–2005)** edit As one of the league's top backs, in 2003 Priest Holmes set the NFL rushing touchdown record (27) for a running back in a season. 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. Vermeil previously led the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. Vermeil was hired on January 12. 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. In Vermeil's first season with the Chiefs, he led the team to a 6–10 record. The team improved to an 8–8 record in 2002 but still missed the postseason. In 2003, Kansas City began the season with nine consecutive victories, a franchise record. 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. 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. The team clinched the second seed in the 2003 NFL playoffs and hosted the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. In a game where neither team punted, the Chiefs lost the shoot-out 38–31. 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. They were the fourth team since 1990 to miss the playoffs with a 10–6 record. Running back Larry Johnson started in place of the injured Priest Holmes and rushed for 1,750 yards in only nine starts. Head coach Dick Vermeil announced his retirement before the season's final game, in which the Chiefs defeated the playoff-bound Cincinnati Bengals, 37–3. **Decline** edit 10x All-Pro Tony Gonzalez has the most receptions (1,325) and receiving yards (15,127) in NFL history for a tight end. Within two weeks of Vermeil's retirement, the Chiefs returned to their defensive roots with the selection of its next head coach. 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. 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. Backup quarterback Damon Huard took over in Green's absence and led the Chiefs to a 5–3 record. Kansas City was awarded a Thanksgiving Day game against the Denver Broncos in response to owner Lamar Hunt's lobbying for a third Thanksgiving Day game. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 19–10 in the first Thanksgiving Day game in Kansas City since 1969. Hunt was hospitalized at the time of the game and died weeks later on December 13 due to complications of prostate cancer. The Chiefs honored their owner for the remainder of the season, as did the rest of the league. Trent Green returned in the middle of the season, but struggled in the final stretch, and running back Larry Johnson set an NFL record with 416 carries in a season. 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. The Indianapolis Colts hosted the Chiefs in the Wild Card playoffs and defeated Kansas City 23–8. In 2007, Trent Green was traded to the Miami Dolphins leaving the door open for either Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle to become the new starting quarterback. 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. 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. The Chiefs began their 2008 season with the youngest team in the NFL. The starting lineup had an average of 25.5 years of age. By releasing several veteran players such as cornerback Ty Law and wide receiver Eddie Kennison and trading defensive end Jared Allen, the Chiefs began a youth movement. 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. Entering the season, the Chiefs were unsure if injury-prone quarterback Brodie Croyle, who was the incumbent starter, could be their quarterback in the long-term. Croyle was injured in the team's first game of the season and Damon Huard started in Croyle's absence. Tyler Thigpen become the third Chiefs starting quarterback in as many games for a start against the Atlanta Falcons. After a poor performance by Thigpen, in which he threw three interceptions against the Falcons defense, Huard was retained as the starting quarterback. 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. The Chiefs hosting the Buffalo Bills in 2009; Quarterback Matt Cassel, wearing #7 Croyle returned for the Chiefs' game against the Tennessee Titans, but both he and Damon Huard suffered season-ending injuries in the game. The Chiefs reorganized their offense to a new spread offense game plan focused around Tyler Thigpen. The Chiefs' new offense was implemented to help Thigpen play to the best of his abilities and also in the absence of Larry Johnson, who was suspended for his off-field conduct. The Chiefs gambled by using the spread offense, as most in the NFL believe that it cannot work in professional football, and also head coach Herm Edwards was traditionally in favor of more conservative, run-oriented game plans. The 2008 season ended with a franchise worst 2–14 record, where the team suffered historic blowout defeats nearly week-in and week-out, a 34–0 shut-out to the Carolina Panthers, and allowed a franchise-high 54 points against the Buffalo Bills. The team's general manager, chief executive officer, and team president Carl Peterson resigned at the end of the season, and former New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli was hired as his replacement for 2009. Jamaal Charles averaged 5.4 yards per carry during his career which is an NFL record for a running back. On January 23, 2009, Herm Edwards was fired as head coach, and two weeks later Todd Haley signed a four-year contract to become Edwards' successor. 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. 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. 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 on former Patriots assistant coaches Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to coach the offense and defense, respectively. 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. On January 9, 2011, the Chiefs lost their home Wild Card playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens 30–7. 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 Bowe led the NFL in touchdown receptions. For their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the team selected Jon Baldwin. After a poor start, Haley was relieved of duties as head coach on December 12. Clark Hunt made note of "bright spots at different points this season," but felt that overall the Chiefs were not progressing. 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. 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. On January 9, 2012, Crennel was named the 11th full-time head coach in Chiefs history. The 2012 Chiefs became the first team since the 1929 Buffalo Bisons to not lead in regulation through any of their first nine games. The Chiefs tied their franchise-worst record of 2–14 and clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. It is the first time since the merger they have held the first overall pick. **Reemergence and the arrival of Andy Reid (2013–2017)** edit Coach Andy Reid "Big Red" has led the Chiefs to nine consecutive division titles and five Super Bowl appearances. After the 2012 season, the Chiefs fired head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli. Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid was brought in as head coach to work with new general manager John Dorsey, a former Green Bay Packers head scout. 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. Matt Cassel was released shortly after. The Chiefs selected Eric Fisher with the first overall pick of the 2013 NFL draft along with Travis Kelce who was drafted in the third round (63rd pick overall) in the same draft. In 2013, the Chiefs started 9–0 for the second time in team history. The team finished with a 11–5 record and made the playoffs. They led in their wildcard game against the Indianapolis Colts 38–10 shortly after halftime, but collapsed late and lost 45–44. 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. 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. 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 after a 1–5 start. The streak achieved by the Chiefs broke a franchise record for nine straight (2003, 2013) and second nine plus game win 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 9, 2016. The Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 30–0 to earn their first NFL playoff win in 23 seasons, dating back to the 1993–94 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. Riddled with injuries, they were defeated by the New England Patriots 27–20 in the AFC Divisional Round. Tyreek Hill made the Pro Bowl in all six seasons with the Chiefs as a return specialist-wide receiver. 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. On Christmas Day, the Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 33–10 to give Kansas City their tenth straight win against divisional opponents. On January 1, 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. The Chiefs finished the 2017 season with a 10–6 record, and won the AFC West. This was the first time in Chiefs history that they won the AFC West in back-to-back years. 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. 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. **The Kelce—Mahomes era (2017–present)** edit - Patrick Mahomes made his NFL debut and first career start in the December 31, 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. 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. 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. Mahomes finished the season with 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, both team records. He became the 11th quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards and the third to throw for 50 touchdowns. He joined Peyton Manning as only the 2nd player in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. For his performance during the season, he was named AP NFL MVP, the first Chief to ever win the award. In the AFC Divisional round on January 12, 2019, the Chiefs defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31–13 to move on to the AFC Championship Game. This marked the Chiefs' first playoff win in Arrowhead Stadium in 25 years. This also enabled the Chiefs to host the AFC Championship Game for the first time ever. 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. 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. 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. 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. This marked their first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years, since Super Bowl IV. Lombardi Trophy presentation at Super Bowl LIV On February 2, 2020, in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the Chiefs played against the NFC's top seed, the San Francisco 49ers. At halftime, the teams were tied at ten points. In the second half, Mahomes threw 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, Mahomes threw touchdowns on successive drives to Travis Kelce and Damien Williams. With a 24–20 lead with under two minutes remaining, Williams had a 38-yard touchdown run to 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 to the AFL-NFL Merger. On July 6, 2020, Mahomes signed a record ten-year, $503-million contract extension keeping him under contract until the conclusion of the 2031 season. The contract is the largest ever signed in North American sports, tripling the previous record (which was for a shorter 5 years, signed by Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons). 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. The Chiefs would face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, ultimately losing 9–31, failing to score a touchdown in the game. In their 2021 season, the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36–10, earning the team's sixth straight AFC West title on December 26, 2021. 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. Despite being the first team to host the AFC Championship game for four consecutive seasons, the team finished the season losing 24–27 in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals. Patrick Mahomes leading the Chiefs offense against the Browns, 2021 The Chiefs began their 2022 season by trading Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, 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. The team hosted their fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game, and second consecutive against the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 23–20 on a game-winning field goal from Harrison Butker. In Super Bowl LVII, the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 again on a field goal from Butker and two fourth-quarter touchdowns using the Corn Dog play. 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, and lead the league in passing yards in the same season. Head coach Andy Reid won his second Super Bowl championship over the Eagles, the team he had previously led to a Super Bowl appearance. 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. 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. This marked the first back-to-back Super Bowl wins since Super Bowl XXXIX, making it three Super Bowl wins in five years. In 2024, the Chiefs won a franchise record 15 games and received a first round bye. They defeated the Houston Texans 23–14 in the Divisional Round, followed by a 32–29 win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, becoming the first team in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls, then return to the Super Bowl in the third season. This also made them the first NFL team to appear in seven consecutive conference championships and the first NFL team to appear in five Super Bowls over a six-year period. They faced the Philadelphia Eagles again in Super Bowl LIX, as they had done in Super Bowl LVII, and lost the rematch, 40–22. The Chiefs' Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys became the most-watched NFL regular season game on record, drawing 57.2 million viewers. The game was broadcast on CBS and streaming service Paramount+, and peaked with 61.4 million viewers by the game's conclusion. ^ a b c d e "Pro Football Hall of Fame: Kansas City Chiefs". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016. - ^ a b c d e f "Kansas City Chiefs History – AFL Origins". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2008. - ^ NFL (November 3, 2017), That Time the Chiefs Battled the Cowboys for Dallas' Hearts | NFL Highlights, archived from the original on July 5, 2020, retrieved November 4, 2017 - ^ Althaus, p. 35 - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Kansas City Chiefs History – 1960s". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008. - ^ a b c d e f g h i "Kansas City Chiefs Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2009. - ^ a b c d Kuhbander, Brad (February 8, 2008). "Kuhbander: This Week in Chiefs History". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2009. - ^ a b c d Gruver, p. 103 - ^ Cite error: The named reference evets was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference etmvbs was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference hchtag was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "How the Kansas City Chiefs got their name and the Boy Scout Tribe of Mic-O-Say". Ict News. September 21, 2019. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020. - ^ Caldwell, Dave (February 2, 2020). "The True Tale Of The Original Kansas City Chief". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020. - ^ Cash, Meredith (January 23, 2020). "The Chiefs got their controversial name from a Kansas City mayor who went by 'Chief' and insisted on the team being named after himself". Business Insider. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020. - ^ a b c Maske, p. 325 - ^ Huppke, Rex W. (January 30, 2007). "Legends of the Bowl". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022. Lamar Hunt, who died in December, coined the term Super Bowl in the late 1960s after watching his kids play with a Super Ball, the bouncy creation of iconic toy manufacturer Wham-O.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ DeArdo, Bryan (February 6, 2024). "Why is it called the Super Bowl? NFL title game's name was birthed by child's toy, Lamar Hunt's wit". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Gruver, p. 167 - ^ "Super Bowl I - Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers - January 15th, 1967". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Gruver, p. 179 - ^ "Len Dawson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ One game more than the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, Pro-Football-Reference: In multiple seasons, from 1960 to 1969, in the regular season, sorted by descending date. Deprecated link archived July 16, 2012, at archive.today - ^ "1970 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Kansas City Chiefs History – 1970s". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008. - ^ "Walter Payton Man of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ a b Althaus, p. 97 - ^ Althaus, p. 101 - ^ a b c d e f g h "Kansas City Chiefs History – 1980s". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008. - ^ "Joe Delaney headed for Chiefs ring of honor Sunday". Chiefs.com. September 23, 2004. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved July 13, 2008. - ^ Althaus, p. 167 - ^ a b "Warrick, Klinger fell way short in Cincy". ESPN. April 16, 2008. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ Mackovic released Archived December 13, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. The New York Times, January 9, 1987. - ^ "1987 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "1988 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "A Decade to Remember: The NFL in the '90s". NFL.info. December 20, 1999. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023. - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Kansas City Chiefs History – 1990s". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008. - ^ Althaus, p. 63 - ^ Cite error: The named reference Schottenheimer was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Teicher, Adam (January 10, 2016). "Chiefs get first playoff win in 22 years, say they aren't done". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Chiefs' Schottenheimer resigns". UPI. January 11, 1999. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ a b Tucker, Doug (January 20, 2004). "Chiefs name Gunther Cunningham defensive coordinator". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Kansas City Chiefs History – 2000s". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008. - ^ "Chiefs Hire Vermeil as Coach". ABC News. January 12, 2001. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Rams Trade Green to Chiefs". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 21, 2001. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Grathoff, Pete (April 11, 2023). "Priest Holmes reflects on how joining the Chiefs changed trajectory of his career". Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2001 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2002 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Skretta, Dave (November 9, 2013). "Chiefs credit culture change with 9-0 start". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Althaus, p. 65 - ^ "2003 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Divisional Round - Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs - January 11th, 2004". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2004 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2005 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Larry Johnson 2005 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Vermeil to retire". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 1, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs - January 1st, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Pasquarelli, Len (January 6, 2006). "Jets, Chiefs strike deal; Edwards free to leave". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Chiefs' Green out indefinitely". The Denver Post. Associated Press. September 11, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Damon Huard 2006 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "NFL Rushing Attempts Single-Season Leaders (since 1933)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Wild Card - Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts - January 6th, 2007". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Pasquarelli, Len (June 5, 2007). "Green goes to Dolphins from Chiefs in trade". Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Gonzalez gets TD record as KC beats Bengals 27-20". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 15, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2007 NFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ a b c Clayton, John (November 6, 2008). "Interesting list of suitors for Hall". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ a b "KC trades DE Jared Allen to Minnesota for multiple draft choices". Chiefs.com. April 23, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2008. - ^ a b "Chiefs QB Thigpen to start vs. Falcons". Associated Press. September 17, 2008. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Chiefs' Day 1 plan comes together with Dorsey, others". ESPN. April 26, 2008. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Draft yields quantity, and plenty of quality, for Chiefs". ESPN. April 27, 2008. Archived from the original on October 22, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ a b Williamson, Bill (June 18, 2008). "Several '08 picks should make immediate impact". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ a b "Chiefs QB Croyle out for this week". National Football League. Associated Press. September 8, 2008. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2008. - ^ "Chiefs QB Thigpen to start vs. Falcons". ESPN. Associated Press. September 17, 2008. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ a b c "Falcons back on track after victory over winless Chiefs". National Football League. Associated Press. September 21, 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Huard will start at quarterback Sunday for Kansas City". National Football League. Associated Press. September 22, 2008. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2008. - ^ "Chiefs' Johnson under investigation for latest incident involving a woman". ESPN. October 20, 2008. Archived from the original on October 23, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ a b "Chiefs' Johnson charged for spitting in woman's face, won't play for now". ESPN. October 28, 2008. Archived from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ Smith, Michael (October 12, 2008). "Source: Chiefs willing to listen to offers for record-setting TE Gonzalez". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Gonzalez tells teammates he's not bitter about failed trade request". ESPN. October 16, 2008. Archived from the original on October 18, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Chiefs QB Croyle sprains right knee, done for the season". ESPN. Associated Press. October 19, 2008. Archived from the original on October 22, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2008. - ^ a b Rand, Jonathan (November 13, 2008). "Breaking the Mold". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2008. - ^ a b c Chadiha, Jeffri (November 21, 2008). "Spread changes options for Chiefs". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Source: Johnson's discipline in response to pattern of behavior". ESPN. October 18, 2008. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Titans extend winning streak as Chiefs lose game, Croyle". National Football League. Associated Press. October 19, 2008. Archived from the original on October 23, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Williams' career-best game helps Panthers blank Chiefs". National Football League. Associated Press. October 5, 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Edwards, Bills score most points against Chiefs in history". ESPN. Associated Press. November 23, 2008. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Chiefs GM Peterson to step down at end of season". ESPN. Associated Press. December 15, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Scott Pioli to join Kansas City Chiefs". ESPN. January 13, 2009. Archived from the original on January 20, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Chiefs fire Edwards; Shanahan next?". ESPN. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Herm Edwards relieved of duties as Chiefs head coach". Kansas City Chiefs. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2009. - ^ "Todd Haley named Kansas City Chiefs head coach". Kansas City Chiefs. February 6, 2009. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2009. - ^ "Chiefs hire Cardinals offensive coordinator Haley as coach". NFL.com. Associated Press. February 6, 2009. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Chiefs trade Gonzalez for 2010 draft pick". ESPN. Associated Press. April 23, 2009. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009. - ^ King, Peter (February 28, 2009). "Chiefs complete trade for Cassel". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ "Chiefs acquire QB Matt Cassel, LB Mike Vrabel in trade with Patriots". Kansas City Chiefs. February 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009. - ^ "Chiefs claim Chambers". ESPN. Associated Press. November 3, 2009. Archived from the original on November 7, 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2009. - ^ "Crennel will become Chiefs' D-coordinator, reunite with Weis, Pioli". NFL.com. January 13, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2010 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Wild Card - Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs - January 9th, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2010 NFL Receiving". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ Teicher, Adam (April 28, 2011). "Kansas City Chiefs select receiver Jonathan Baldwin in NFL draft". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ Goldman, Leah (December 12, 2011). "Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley Has Been Fired". Business Insider. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Packers' Chance to Finish 19-0 Ended by Chiefs". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 19, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "Romeo Crennel will coach Chiefs for remainder of season". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2020. - ^ "Chiefs to Name Romeo Crennel Head Coach". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2020. - ^ "Steelers 16, Chiefs 13 (OT)". Chicago Tribune. November 12, 2012. Archived from the original on August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022. - ^ "2012 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "2013 NFL Draft order set". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. - ^ Mortensen, Chris (December 31, 2012). "Chiefs dump Crennel, retain GM Pioli for now". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Garafolo, Mike (January 4, 2013). "GM Scott Pioli fired by Chiefs". USA Today. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Mortensen, Chris; Schefter, Adam (January 4, 2013). "Reid reaches deal to be next Chiefs coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ "Chiefs hire Packers' John Dorsey as general manager". NFL.com. January 12, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Williamson, Bill (March 12, 2013). "Niners announce Alex Smith trade". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2022. - ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (March 14, 2013). "Matt Cassel released by Kansas City Chiefs". NFL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Teicher, Adam (December 9, 2020). "The forgotten No. 1: Has Chiefs' Eric Fisher proved worthy of top pick?". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Teicher, Adam (April 26, 2013). "Chiefs draft TE Kelce, RB Davis in NFL Draft's third round". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2015. - ^ Bonesteel, Matt (October 5, 2017). "The Chiefs are the only unbeaten team left and probably are doomed". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2022. - ^ "2013 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ "In remarkable rally, Colts overcome 28-point deficit, beat Chiefs 45-44". NBC Sports. January 4, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - ^ Thorman, Joel (December 28, 2014). "Chiefs beat Chargers but miss the playoffs". Arrowhead Pride. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Teicher, Adam (October 12, 2015). "Chiefs RB Charles has torn ACL, out for season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ "How a 1-5 Chiefs team started rolling right into the playoffs". FOX Sports. January 8, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ "Kansas City Chiefs dominate Texans in Houston". National Football League. Associated Press. January 9, 2016. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2016. - ^ "Patriots on to 5th straight AFC title game in 27-20 win over Chiefs". Montreal Gazette. Associated Press. January 17, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Grathoff, Pete (April 20, 2021). "Chiefs share highlights of Alex Smith-led comeback win against Chargers in 2016". Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ "Steelers hold off Chiefs on Boswell's 6 field goals, 18-16". CBS Sports. January 16, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ "2017 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Fisher, Tim (December 25, 2017). "Chiefs top Dolphins, clinch back-to-back division titles for first time in franchise history". Missourinet. Missouri net. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018. - ^ Schwab, Frank (January 6, 2018). "Didn't think the Chiefs' miserable playoff history could get worse? Well, it did". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018. - ^ Teicher, Adam; Keim, John (January 31, 2018). "Sources: Chiefs trading QB Smith to Redskins". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Gibson, Bransen (July 17, 2022). "Revisiting Patrick Mahomes' first start for the KC Chiefs". Arrowhead Addict. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Stites, Adam (October 15, 2018). "The Patriots' shootout win over the Chiefs lived up to the hype". SBNation.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ Gantt, Darin (November 20, 2018). "Chiefs become first team to score 50 and lose". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ "Patrick Mahomes 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ Weinrib, Ben (December 31, 2018). "Patrick Mahomes joins the exclusive 50 touchdown club with career-long pass". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ "Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Becomes 2nd Ever to Throw 50 TDs and 5,000 Yards in a Season". Complex. December 31, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (February 2, 2019). "Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes named 2018 NFL MVP". NFL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Baxter, Kevin (January 13, 2019). "Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Damien Williams and defense lead playoff victory over Colts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Schwab, Frank (January 13, 2019). "With first home playoff win in 25 years, Chiefs one more Arrowhead win from Super Bowl". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ Mellinger, Sam (January 18, 2019). "The ballad of the Chiefs' home, Arrowhead Stadium and the people who love it". Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Wilner, Barry (January 21, 2019). "Patriots make 3rd straight Super Bowl, beat Chiefs 37-31 OT". AP News. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ "2019 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ McMullen, Matt (January 13, 2020). "Chiefs Defeat Texans, 51-31, to Complete Largest Comeback in Franchise History". Chiefs.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ McMullen, Matt (January 20, 2020). "Chiefs Defeat Titans, 35-24, and Advance to Super Bowl". Chiefs.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Palmer, Tod (January 21, 2020). "50 years is a long time: Changes from Super Bowl IV to LIV". KSHB 41 Kansas City News. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Gregorian, Vahe (September 6, 2020). "'Jet Chip Wasp' was a moment that will last forever, but also speaks to Chiefs' future". Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 20, 2024. - ^ McMullen, Matt (February 3, 2020). "Chiefs Rally to Win Super Bowl LIV, 31-20, and Secure World Championship". Chiefs.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ "Patrick Mahomes tops Mike Trout for biggest contract in sports history". ESPN.com. July 6, 2020. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020. - ^ "Chad Henne replaces injured Patrick Mahomes to help Chiefs defeat Browns". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 17, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Skretta, Dave (January 25, 2021). "Reigning champion Chiefs dump Bills 38-24 in AFC title game". AP News. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Maaddi, Rob (February 8, 2021). "Tom Brady wins Super Bowl No. 7, Buccaneers beat Chiefs 31-9". AP News. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Teicher, Adam (December 27, 2021). "With Travis Kelce out, Patrick Mahomes spreads wealth as Kansas City Chiefs win AFC West". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021. - ^ Rogers, Martin (January 24, 2022). "Best NFL playoff game ever? Chiefs, Bills make case". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022. - ^ Morse, Ben (January 24, 2022). "Patrick Mahomes goes 'Grim Reaper' as Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bills in epic back-and-forth overtime battle". CNN. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022. - ^ Barnwell, Bill (January 24, 2022). "Greatest NFL playoff round ever? 10 takeaways from Bills-Chiefs, struggles by Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, plus how the Rams, 49ers and Bengals won". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022. - ^ Levin, Josh (January 24, 2022). "How Chiefs-Bills Became One of the Greatest Games in NFL History". Slate. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022. - ^ Dodd, Dennis (January 24, 2022). "Chiefs' epic victory over Bills leaves NFL fans longing for more, but it doesn't get any better than this". National Football League. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022. - ^ Ley, Tom (January 24, 2022). "That Was A Football Game For All Time". Defector.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022. - ^ Shook, Nick (March 23, 2022). "Chiefs trading WR Tyreek Hill to Dolphins for multiple draft picks, including 2022 first-rounder". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022. - ^ "Kansas City Chiefs clinch No 1 seed in AFC with 31-13 win over Las Vegas Raiders in regular-season finale". Sky Sports. January 8, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2024. - ^ Echlin, Greg (January 27, 2023). "The Chiefs have enjoyed 5 straight AFC Championships at home. 'It's nuts' for Kansas City businesses". KCUR. Retrieved August 4, 2024. - ^ McMullen, Matt (January 30, 2023). "Chiefs Defeat Bengals, 23-20, to Secure a Third AFC Championship in Four Years". Chiefs.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ McMullen, Matt (February 14, 2023). "Chiefs Complete Epic Comeback to Win Super Bowl LVII, 38-35, Over Philadelphia". Chiefs.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024. - ^ Chadiha, Jeffri (February 13, 2023). "Super Bowl win, MVP awards only part of why Patrick Mahomes' 2022 season may end up his best". NFL.com. Retrieved August 4, 2024. - ^ Grotz, Bob (February 13, 2023). "Bob Grotz: 'Big Red' Andy Reid gets big revenge as Chiefs rally past Eagles in Super Bowl LVII". Delco Times. Retrieved August 4, 2024. - ^ Grathoff, Pete (December 31, 2023). "Chiefs' eighth straight AFC West title gives KC historical edge over division rivals". Kansas City Star. Retrieved February 6, 2024. - ^ Goldman, Charles (December 31, 2023). "Chiefs make AFC West division history in Week 17 vs. Bengals". A to Z Sports. Retrieved February 6, 2024. - ^ Palmer, Tod (January 1, 2024). "Chiefs' divisional dominance puts franchise in rare company". KSHB 41 Kansas City News. Retrieved February 6, 2024. - ^ Jones, Jonathan (February 11, 2024). "2024 Super Bowl: Postseason overtime rules means it is better to give than receive". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024. - ^ "Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs cement dynasty with repeat Super Bowl win". TSN.ca. Canadian Press. February 11, 2024. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. - ^ Davis, Nate (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs leave no doubt in Super Bowl: They're an all-time NFL dynasty". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. - ^ Maaddi, Rob (February 10, 2025). "Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat with dominant defense in a 40-22 rout". AP News. Retrieved February 10, 2025. - ^ Deitsch, Richard (December 4, 2025). "Chiefs-Cowboys becomes most-watched NFL regular season game, drawing 57.2 million viewers". The Athletic. Retrieved December 6, 2025.