Chiefs Top Five Quarterbacks Of All-Time
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the original franchises of professional football. With so much history, that means plenty of quarterbacks have worn the Chiefs’ uniform. The franchise has had some Hall of Fame talent and a few high-caliber talents. Out of the 39 starting quarterbacks to wear the uniform, we will break down the top five best ones. With that being said, this list is based on career accolades and success overall so buckle up.
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5.) Trent Green, QB, Chiefs 2001-2006
Trent Green might not have the playoff experience but he is still a household name for fans of the team. Green came to Kansas City after being traded for a first-round pick. While that looked to be a mistake at first, Green would go on to start in every game for Kansas City over the next five seasons.
Green’s six seasons in Arrowhead saw two playoff berths in 2003 and 2006. He was also named to the Pro Bowl in 2003 and 2005. By the end of his time with the franchise, Green finished second all-time in Chiefs history after completing 1,720 of 2,777 passes for 21,459 yards and 118 touchdowns. Despite no playoff wins, Trent Green found success in his own ways. Green has respectfully earned a spot on this list.
4.) Joe Montana, QB, Chiefs 1993-1994
Next up, we have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time (and not just for the Chiefs). The 49ers traded him to Kansas City before the 1993 season. Montana didn’t lead the team to Super Bowls but he did lead them to their first division title since 1971 (and the AFC title game in 1993). Montana also led his team to the playoffs in 1994 but was bounced in the first round.
Again, Montana was not around long but he proved he still had enough juice left to help the Chiefs. During his short tenure with Kansas City, Montana helped bring in Marcus Allen to boost the offense. Montana finished with 5,427 yards and 29 touchdowns in his brief stint including a 17–8 record as a starter. A football legend ending his career with the Chiefs makes this choice an easy one, especially with the large amount of success he had in just two seasons.
3.) Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs 2013-2017
Next, we have one of the most beloved quarterbacks to ever play in Kansas City. Sure, there were moments that the fans wanted him gone. But now he is appreciated more than ever. Smith landed with the team via a trade where the Chiefs sent the 49ers a second-round pick. Once he arrived he never looked back and led the team to the playoffs in four of his five seasons as the starter.
Smith would win in the Wild Card round in 2015, the first Chiefs playoff win since Montana in 1993. Smith’s greatest game has to be when he led the Chiefs to a 21-point comeback (largest in franchise history) against the Chargers. In five seasons, Smith only missed four games due to injury and was a key piece to the turnaround of the franchise. Smith finished top five all-time in franchise history with 17,608 passing yards and 102 touchdowns and a 50-26 record as a starter. Alex Smith was the bridge to another guy on this list that could very well be the best Chief ever. Smith easily earns his spot on this list and is forever loved by the fanbase.
2.) Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs 2017-Present
Coming in at number two, we have the current captain of the ship, Patrick Mahomes. Before anyone becomes upset that Mahomes is not number one, just remember that the guy above him has an entire career of stats versus only five seasons. Patrick Mahomes is no doubt one of, if not the best, quarterbacks in the NFL right now. Drafted tenth overall out of Texas Tech, Mahomes has turned the Chiefs into Super Bowl contenders on a yearly basis.
In just the first five seasons, Mahomes has two Super Bowl appearances, a Super Bowl MVP, two AFC championships, the 2018 regular season MVP, and the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year award. The $500 million quarterback has blown up the stat book since becoming the starter. During his MVP campaign, Mahomes became the third quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a single season, joining Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Mahomes currently has 18,991 passing yards which are third in franchise history and 151 touchdowns which rank second.
Without a doubt, Patrick Mahomes will end his career as the greatest Chiefs quarterback ever. Climbing the stat ladder at this pace shows how elite he truly is. Mahomes could add another Super Bowl ring and easily be placed at number one on this list. However, he sticks around at two until he passes the guy above him on this list
1.) Len Dawson, QB, Chiefs 1962-1975
Coming in at number one, the greatest Chiefs quarterback and legend, Len Dawson. Dawson played four seasons in the NFL before joining the Dallas Texans. The Texans then relocated to Kansas City and became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. Dawson helped the Texans win the AFL championship in 1962 and later led the Chiefs to a championship in Super Bowl IV. Dawson was the losing quarterback in Super Bowl I.
Dawson is the greatest quarterback to ever play for the franchise. He led the Chiefs to the playoffs in 1962, ’66, 1968-69, and ’71. As if leading the Chiefs to their first-ever Super Bowl wasn’t enough, Dawson made seven Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl MVP in that historic title run. He is the franchise leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, and wins overall. Mahomes’ stats thus far put him on a dominant trajectory, but for now, Dawson holds the number one spot. Once Mahomes win a second title and passes him in either yards or touchdowns, that could change.
Which Chiefs quarterback is the greatest of all time? Leave a comment down below to join the discussion.
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