Henry Roldán
While the Chiefs have dazzled in recent seasons with two consecutive Super Bowl appearances, this is nothing new, as the Kansas City franchise has a long history of NFL accomplishments that boil down to two championship rings and these five names that make up the list of the best players in the history of the organization.
5.- Best Kansas City Chiefs Players of All Time: Bobby Bell (LB)
A very talented defender. That’s how we might define Bell, who in his first two seasons started as a lineman and then made the leap to linebacker, a position in which he excelled and for which he is considered the best defensive player in the history of the Chiefs.
Bell played 12 seasons (1963-1974) with Kansas City and is the franchise leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns, returning six of the 26 he got as a pro. Moreover, he’s one of the few players in history who can boast at least 20 interceptions and 20 catches.
The linebacker was the franchise’s first player to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983, while his Super Bowl win in 1969, as well as his nine Pro-Bowl and six All-Pro team picks, earned him the retirement of his No. 78 by the Chiefs.
4.- Best Kansas City Chiefs Players of All Time: Len Dawson (QB)
Dawson was the first quarterback in Kansas City Chiefs history and boy, did he do it right. In 1962, that memorable first season, the quarterback led the team to the first Super Bowl in NFL history. He would be eventually defeated, but three years later, in the fourth edition of the classic, Dawson got his revenge by sealing the victory and winning the MVP of the match.
In 14 seasons with the organization, the quarterback led the league four times in touchdown passes and was first in pass completion percentage five times. On top of that, he still ranks first in games won (93), passing completions (2,115), air yards (2,115) and touchdowns thrown (237) within the franchise.
Dawson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1987, played in seven Pro Bowls, was selected to two All-Pro teams and his number 16 has been retired by the organization.
3.- Best Kansas City Chiefs Players of All Time: Patrick Mahomes (QB)
It was a calculated decision, yet after only five years with the team, Mahomes has not only become the highest-paid player in NFL history, but he also leads the league in several key statistics.
Since taking over the quarterback position in 2018, Mahomes has never ceased to amaze with his ability to run outside the pocket and throw the ball in unthinkable positions and places. That first season, he led the league in touchdowns with 50, gained 5,097 air yards, and was named the circuit’s MVP.
If you think you misinterpreted something, just wait and read: In 2019, Mahomes won the Chiefs’ second Super Bowl and was named the game’s MVP. The following year, in 2020, the Chiefs would again go to the Super Bowl, losing to Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. But, as if that weren’t enough, they are already in the AFC Championship Game this year.
Mahomes has never thrown for less than 4,000 yards in the NFL, holds the top three records for most air yards in a season for the Chiefs, also holds the top three spots for most TDs in a season for the organization and is already second in wins (50), touchdowns (151) and third in yards (18,991).
Is there any doubt that Patrick should be on the list?
2.- Best Kansas City Chiefs Players of All Time: Tony González (TE)
The man who revolutionized the tight end position in the NFL ranks second on our list of the greatest players in Kansas City Chiefs history.
Gonzalez,the Chiefs’ first pick in the 1997 draft, began to exploit his talent in 1999, when the organization realized that he was not a typical pass-blocking, pass-catching tight end, but that his ability to be faster than linebackers and taller than deep and cornerbacks would allow him to make a lot of catches. And boy, did he do it.
Gonzalez’s legacy is immense as he is not only the organization’s leader in receptions (1,325), air yards (15,127) and touchdowns (111), but also third in receptions in NFL history, sixth in yards and eighth in TDs. He played in 14 Pro-Bowls, participated in six All-Pro and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
1.- Best Kansas City Chiefs Players of All Time: Derrick Thomas (LB)
Imagine how talented Thomas was, who, despite having his career tragically cut short when he died in a car accident at the age of 33, comfortably ranks as the number one best player in Chiefs history.
The linebacker, who made his debut in 1989, was honored as Defensive Rookie of the Year after collecting 75 tackles, ten catches, forcing three fumbles and recovering one fumble. He would repeat that impeccable performance the following year, where he achieved one of the best seasons for a defensive back in history: he collected 20 catches, six fumbles and set a record for catches in a single game with seven.
Thomas holds the franchise record for catches (126.5), forced fumbles (41) and safeties (3), his number 58 was retired and the team’s MVP award is named after him. In his 11 NFL seasons, he played in nine Pro Bowls, was on two All-Pro teams and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
