With the NFL offseason starting to wind down and training camps on the horizon, let’s dive into some Chiefs history.
This week, we will take a look at the top 5 QBs in Chiefs history:
5. Trent Green (2001-2006)
Trent Green started his NFL career by not playing a snap in his first five years after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers.
After finally getting a shot in his sixth season, he would sign with the St. Louis Rams and would be replaced by future Hall of Fame QB, Kurt Warner. The Rams would later trade Green to the Chiefs to be reunited with head coach Dick Vermeil.
Green brought more stability to the QB position since Bill Kenney in the early 1980s. Over his time with the Chiefs, Green went 44-36 as a starter. Over his six season with Kansas City, Green threw for 21,459 yards and 118 touchdowns, both ranking second in franchise history.
The two offensive units in 2002 and 2003 were two of the most dominant offenses in NFL history, led by Green’s 40 touchdowns over the two seasons. Those two offenses are the reasons why Trent Green is No. 4 on this list.
4. Joe Montana (1993-1994)
After spending the first 14 years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993.
Joe Montana was the definition of a leader. He was exactly who any coach wanted to lead his 53-man squad. Montana was battle tested and could prepare a team for any game with his leadership and charisma.
In his first season with Kansas City, Montana led the Chiefs to their first AFC Championship appearance since 1969. He is one of three QBs in Chiefs history to lead the franchise to the AFC Championship.
However, Montana would not finish the game as he would leave the game with an injury. The Chiefs may not have had as long of a Super Bowl drought if Montana could have played the whole game and get them to the Super Bowl.
Even though he only played in KC for two years, Montana is loved for his contributions and play in a Chiefs uniform. He is by far one of the most talented players to ever play in Chiefs history.
The only reason is only No. 4 on my list is because he only played with the Chiefs for two years.
3. Alex Smith (2013-2017)
Alex Smith is one of my favorite Chiefs ever. He came to Kansas City and helped build the Super Bowl LIV Champions. The Chiefs were coming off their worst season in franchise history with a 2-14 record and the tragic death of LB Javon Belcher.
Smith came to the Chiefs in 2013 via trade from the San Francisco 49ers. Alex Smith teamed up with new head coach, Andy Reid, to turn the franchise around.
Smith was known for two things in KC: his consistency and ability to win games. Smith was consistent with completing over 65 percent of his passes in a Chiefs uniform. Smith was a terrific game manager and a hard worker.
Sidenote: My favorite games of his was Opening Night in New England and the comeback against the Chargers in OT.
Smith brought stability back to the QB position since Trent Green, and he played better than Green and won more games.
Smith won 50 regular season games over his five years with the Chiefs, almost as many as previous nine years for the team. He made the playoffs four out of his five seasons and led the team to its first back-to-back division titles in franchise history.
One of the biggest moments in a Chiefs uniform was when he led the team to the franchise’s first playoff win in 22 seasons against Houston in 2016, lifting a curse that had worn the hearts and minds of all in Chiefs Kingdom.
Alex Smith was an integral part of the Chiefs Super Bowl puzzle. He brought stability and success to the Chiefs franchise. Plus, his greatest attribute and contribution was his leadership to them team and development of Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes benefited drastically from Smith and grew so much in that one year behind him. Without Smith, Mahomes would not be as dominant and as great of a leader.
Without Alex Smith and his five years in Kansas City, who knows where the Chiefs would be.
2. Len Dawson (1962-1975)
Len Dawson played for the Dallas Texans before the Chiefs moved to Kansas City. He joined the team after being cut by the Cleveland Browns of the NFL in 1962.
In his first season with the Texans, Dawson led the team to its first AFL Championship while earning the AFL Player of the Year award. When the team moved to Kansas City in 1963, Dawson kept bringing success to the franchise.
He led the Chiefs to two more AFL championships and appearances in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IV. Dawson led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory, defeating the Minnesota Vikings in and being named Super Bowl IV MVP,
Dawson holds Chiefs records for the most passing yards (28,507), passing attempts (3,696), completed passes (2,115), and touchdown passes (237).
Along with his records, Dawson ended his career with three AFL Championships and one Super Bowl, capping it all off with seven Pro Bowl appearances and two-time All-Pro honors. All of Dawson’s career success, landed him in the National Football Hall of Fame, being inducted in 1987.
1. Patrick Mahomes (2017-Present)
Patrick Mahomes is the most talented player to ever put on a Chiefs uniform and when it is all said and done, he will demolish every single record held by Len Dawson. Mahomes will also set more NFL records throughout his career, including passing yards and touchdowns.
The Chiefs traded up to the No. 10 pick with the Buffalo Bills in the 2017 NFL Draft top pick Mahomes, and the rest is history.
He sat behind Alex Smith for a year and that year was probably the greatest thing for him as he learned from one of the greatest QBs to put on a Chiefs uniform and a terrific leader. Since taking over as starter, Mahomes has won 28 of his first 36 career games, including the postseason.
In his first season as starter, Mahomes threw for over 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns, winning the 2018 NFL MVP Award. Mahomes led the Chiefs to their first AFC Championship Game since 1993.
In his second year as starter, Mahomes led the Chiefs to their fourth straight AFC West Division title before the historic playoff run.
Mahomes led the Chiefs to three comeback victories in the playoffs, as the team became the first team in NFL history to win three playoff games trailing by 10 or more points.
He also led the Chiefs to their first AFC Championship Game victory and first Super Bowl in 50 years. Mahomes led the Chiefs to another comeback late in the fourth quarter to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl Championship in 50 years.
In doing so, Mahomes became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the NFL MVP, Super Bowl, and Super Bowl MVP.
Patrick Mahomes has the ability and talent to make a game-changing play at any moment in any game. He has shown that throughout his short career with the left-handed pass in Denver on Monday Night Football, the no-look pass to Baltimore, the jump-pass touchdown in Tennessee, and his 27-yard rushing touchdown against Tennessee in the AFC Championship Game.
Mahomes is also a two-time Pro Bowler, including the 2018 Pro Bowl MVP, and a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2018.
Here is a lost of records Mahomes has set in his two years as starter:
- Mahomes is one of three QBs in NFL history to throw for 50 or more touchdowns in a single season
- Mahomes is one of eight QBs in NFL history to throw for 5,000 passing yards
- Mahomes joined Peyton Manning as the second QB in NFL history to throw for 50 or more touchdowns and 5,000 passing yards in the same season.
- Mahomes is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 4,000 yards (13 games)
- Mahomes has the most passing yards and touchdowns in a single season in Chiefs history.
- Mahomes is the first QB in Chiefs history to throw for 300+ yards in eight consecutive games.
- Mahomes is the youngest QB in NFL history to throw for five touchdowns in a playoff game (2019 Divisional vs Houston)
- Mahomes has thrown for the most passing yards through 25 career games in NFL history.
- Mahomes has the most touchdown passes through 25 career games in NFL history
- Most 300-yard passing games through 25 career games in NFL history
And many more records along with this list and countless more to come.
Patrick Mahomes is the best QB and best player in the NFL right now, and his career is just beginning. When it is all said and done, Mahomes could be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, to ever play.
Chiefs Kingdom has the luxury of being able to watch No. 15 step on the gridiron in a Chiefs uniform for years to come.
