A versatile cornerback who helped move the Chiefs from bottom-feeders to playoff appearances.
After finishing the 2007 season on a nine-game losing streak, the Chiefs needed to add new pieces that could fit in right away. They got that at the 2008 NFL Draft.
In the second round, the Chiefs selected Brandon Flowers, a cornerback from Virginia Tech. Flowers was named an All-American in 2007 after a five-interception junior season, according to Pro Football Reference.
With the selection, Flowers was thrown into a starting role right away in Kansas City. That role was held by him throughout his six seasons with the organization.
As a rookie, one of Flowers’ defining plays was a 91-yard interception returned for a touchdown. The rookie had two interceptions, along with a forced fumble.
But the team had gone 2-14 that season, and the team would need to continue their rebuild.
The next season saw Flowers snag five interceptions with 23 pass breakups, according to Pro Football Reference. At 23-years-old, the Chiefs could help build the rest of the secondary unit around him.
The 2010 NFL Draft saw the Chiefs select safety Eric Berry in the first round. This pick, combined with the other young pieces, helped turn around not only the secondary, but the whole team.
In Flowers’ third season, the Chiefs finished 10-6 and won the AFC West division for the first time since 2003. This jump in production was a huge step in the right direction for the organization.
Early into the 2011 season, Flowers signed a five-year extension worth $50 million. This deal guaranteed Flowers $22 million as well.
The Chiefs would not rebound off the previous season’s success after a 7-9 record. Midway through the season, the Chiefs fired head coach Todd Haley and promoted defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.
Flowers got four interceptions including another pick-six throughout the 2011 season. In his first four rookie deal seasons, Flowers has 13 interceptions, 70 pass breakups, and four forced fumbles.
The next season saw yet another 2-14 finish for the Chiefs. Now the future of a lot of players was in jeopardy after finishing with the worst record in the league. The team would fire Crennel and hire former Eagles head coach Andy Reid.
The first season under Reid was a success, both for the team and Flowers. The Chiefs went 11-5 and Flowers would get selected to his first career Pro Bowl. This was despite his career lows in both interceptions and pass breakups.
The national recognition wasn’t only given to Flowers, but to a few players on the defensive side. There were a total of ten Chiefs’ on the 2013 Pro Bowl roster, including six defensive starters.
On the defensive line, Dontari Poe, Justin Houston, and Tamba Hali played in the game, along with the secondary duo of Flowers and Berry. Then the linebacker was all-time Chiefs tackle leader Derrick Johnson was also nominated.
Despite the Pro Bowl selection, Flowers would get released by the Chiefs prior to the 2014 season. In six seasons, Flowers was able to break the Chiefs record for pass breakups with 90.
Flowers utilized his physicality and playmaking skills to help guide a struggling franchise to two playoff appearances. Despite playing on mostly bad teams in his time with the Chiefs, Flowers showed up and produced consistently.
