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The National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs have had a total of thirty quarterbacks start a game in their franchise's 47-year history. The team has also had numerous backup quarterbacks that have stolen the spotlight from the starters.[1][2]

Under Len Dawson, the Texans/Chiefs won three American Football League championships and appeared in two Super Bowl championship games. Dawson was named Most Valuable Player following the Chiefs' victory in Super Bowl IV. Dawson played a total of thirteen seasons with Kansas City and retired with many franchise records. The Chiefs achieved success under many veteran quarterbacks, including Dave Krieg, Joe Montana, Elvis Grbac, and Trent Green.

Brodie Croyle was the team's starting quarterback heading into the 2008 season, but suffered an injury in the team's first game.[3][4][5] The injury sidelined him for at least one game, as Damon Huard started the Chiefs' game against the Oakland Raiders the following week.[3] An injury to Huard in that game has put the starter's position into question, as Tyler Thigpen finished the game against Oakland.[6]

Starting quarterbacks

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The Chiefs have had many notable and established quarterbacks on their squad at different times. Hall of Famers Len Dawson and Joe Montana led the Chiefs in two successful eras and both led the team to playoff appearances in their first seasons.[7][8]

The franchise's first starter was Cotton Davidson, who started 25 games for the Texans before being traded in 1962.[9] Team owner Lamar Hunt traded Davidson to the Oakland Raiders for the first-overall selection in the 1963 AFL Draft.[10] The franchise used that pick to select future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Buck Buchanan.[10]

In Davidson's absence, free agent quarterback Len Dawson signed with the team on July 2, 1962 after spending a five-year career in the NFL with Pittsburgh and Cleveland.[10] In Dallas, Dawson was rejoined with head coach Hank Stram who served as an assistant coach with Purdue, where Dawson played college football.[10] In his first season with the Texans, Dawson led the team to a double-overtime victory over the Houston Oilers in the AFL Championship Game.[10] The victory brought the team's first league championship.

Len Dawson was the franchise's most successful quarterback, playing in 182 regular season games (158 starts) for the Texans/Chiefs, and holds many franchise records.[11] Dawson completed 2,115 of 3,696 passes for 28,507 yards with 237 touchdowns and 92 interceptions, good for a 92.8 rating.[11] He ranks first in team history in pass attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns.[11] He led the Chiefs to 94 regular season wins and three AFL titles.[11] Dawson led the Chiefs to an appearance in the first AFL-NFL Championship Game (later known as "Super Bowl I") against the Green Bay Packers.[11] He was named MVP of Super Bowl IV when he directed Kansas City to a 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.[11] Dawson was named to six AFL All-Star teams and one Pro Bowl squad, in addition to being named the AFL Player of the Year in 1962.[11] Dawson was also named the NFL Man of the Year in 1973.[12] Dawson threw a franchise record six touchdown passes against the Denver Broncos on November 1, 1964 in a 49–39 victory.[13]

Todd Blackledge was selected from the "Quarterback Class of 1983," had an unsuccessful career with Kansas City and is considered by Chiefs fans as being a bust. The Chiefs passed on selecting future greats Dan Marino and Jim Kelly instead believing that Blackledge the best choice.[14] Blackledge started 24 total games in Kansas City, but inconsistent play led to him sharing time with Bill Kenney from 1984–1987.[15]

In the 1987 season, the Chiefs used five starting quarterbacks for the only time in franchise history.[16] Doug Hudson was the last quarterback drafted by the team to start a game until Brodie Croyle started in 2007.[4][17] In Hudson's only game, he was sacked in the endzone for a safety by the Denver Broncos' Jim Ryan.[18] The sack and fumble is the only recorded statistic for his career.[19]

In 1988, the Chiefs traded two draft selections and safety Mark Robinson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for veteran quarterback Steve DeBerg.[20] DeBerg spent four seasons with the Chiefs, leading the team to an 11–5 record a postseason appearance in 1990 despite playing with a broken finger.[20] DeBerg compiled 11,873 passing yards, 67 touchdowns and 50 interceptions with the Chiefs with a 81.8 passer rating.[20][21]

Joe Montana led the Chiefs to their first AFC Championship Game appearance in 1994.

On April 21, 1993, Kansas City acquired quarterback Joe Montana, safety David Whitmore, and a third-round draft pick in the 1993 NFL Draft (Will Shields) by sending their first-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers.[22] Montana had already agreed on a three-year, $10 million contract before getting traded.[22] Montana would lead the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history. In 1994, Montana led the 3–2 Chiefs into Mile High Stadium to face John Elway and the 1–4 Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.[23] Elway performed some of his late-game magic but it was Montana who stole the show in a game later known as the "Monday Night Shootout."[23] The two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 21, and a Chiefs field goal put the team on top 24–21.[23] After a turnover by the Broncos, Kansas City appeared ready to run out the clock behind running back Marcus Allen.[23] Allen fumbled, leaving the Broncos with possession of the ball, and Elway led the Broncos to a touchdown to give Denver a 28–24 lead.[23] However, with 1:29, Montana led the Chiefs down the field to score a touchdown, and the Chiefs snapped an 11-game losing streak to Denver with a 31–28 victory.[23]

After the departure of Elvis Grbac in 2001, the Chiefs acquired Trent Green in a trade with the St. Louis Rams. In his first season, Green struggled and was called "a big disappointment."[24] Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock famously nicknamed him "Tr-INT" after throwing a league-high 24 interceptions.[24][25][26] The press and Chiefs fans were occasionally critical of Green throughout his five years on the team.[26][27][28][29] By his third season, Green led the Chiefs to a 13–3 record in 2003 and was called the "mastermind of the Chiefs' high-powered offense."[27] Even after leading the franchise to its first postseason appearance in six seasons, Chiefs fans had still not figured out whether they loved him or hated him.[27] In 2004, Green threw for 4,591 yards and a league-high 556 passing attempts.[25] Green was selected to two Pro Bowl games in 2003 and 2005.[25] Green's 81-game start streak for the Chiefs from 2001–2006 is a franchise record at the position.[30] Green is the Chiefs' career leader in passer rating (87.3),[31] average gain per attempt (7.7),[25][30] 300-yard passing games (24),[31] completion percentage (61.94),[31] and completions of 20 or more yards (274).[30][31] He is the only quarterback in Chiefs history to throw a "perfect game" registering a 158.3 passer rating against Detroit on December 14, 2003.[31]

In the past few decades, the Chiefs have relied on veteran quarterbacks to lead their team.[14] The Chiefs never drafted their own quarterback to develop until Brodie Croyle was chosen in the 2006 NFL Draft and claimed the starting position in 2007.[14]

In the years prior to drafting Croyle (1960–2005), the Chiefs had drafted 30 quarterbacks and each led the team to victory just 57 times, or 15%.[14] When head coach Herman Edwards was hired in 2006, he stated that he was looking towards implementing a "youth movement" into his game plan, and he began his roster moves at the quarterback position.[5][14] Croyle was the team's starting quarterback heading into the 2008 season, however, he suffered an injury and [[Damon Huard played in Croyle's absence.[3][5] Huard started the Chiefs' game in Week 2,[3] but he himself suffered an injury and Tyler Thigpen substituted for the remainder of the game.[6]

Backup quarterbacks

[edit]
After Rich Gannon's departure, Warrn Moon served as the Chiefs' backup quarterback and started one game.

Notable backup quarterbacks have also led the Chiefs to success after substituting for their starting quarterback, including Mike Livingston,[32] Rich Gannon,[33] and Damon Huard.[34] When Len Dawson was injured during the Chiefs’ 1969 season, second-year quarterback Mike Livingston won all six of his starts in Dawson's absence.[35] Dawson returned late in the season to lead the Chiefs on way to Super Bowl IV.[35] Livingston, surrounded by a much weaker cast when he got another chance to start, never enjoyed much success again.[35][36] Tom Flores was also on the Chiefs' 1969 team that won Super Bowl IV, but never played in a game for the Chiefs.[37] He went on to coach the Oakland Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. Warren Moon was on the Chiefs' roster for the 1999 and 2000 seasons under Elvis Grbac and started one game in Grbac's absence.[38][39][40][41] Moon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.[39] Ron Jaworski finished his career as a Chief in 1989, and started three games.[42]

Quarterback controversies

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Gannon and Grbac

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A quarterback controversy began in the 1997 season when Elvis Grbac started the first nine games and suffered an injury, leading to Rich Gannon's substitution for the next six games.[2] Grbac would return in the team's season finale.[2] Gannon won five consecutive starts down the stretch to help the Chiefs earn home-field advantage with a 13–3 record.[43] Grbac wasn't much of a leader,[1][44] although he was a talented thrower.[44] Gannon was an aggressive leader who demanded the most of his players.[44] Grbac was selected by coach Marty Schottenheimer to start the team's playoff game against the Denver Broncos, a game which the Chiefs would lose 14–10.[2][43] Chiefs fans were deeply divided over whether Gannon or Grbac should lead the team, and Gannon backers were none too happy when he was let go and signed with the Raiders in 1999.[2][45]

After joining the Raiders, Gannon knocked the Chiefs out of playoff contention in the 1999 season when the Raiders defeated the Chiefs by a score of 41–38 in overtime.[45][46] Grbac was released by the Chiefs after the 2001 season and signed with the then-defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. Grbac only lasted one season in Baltimore and retired in the offseason. In 2002, Gannon would be named the NFL's Most Valuable Player and led the Raiders to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII.[45]

Life after Trent Green

[edit]
Damon Huard (left) and Brodie Croyle (right) at a Chiefs mini camp practice.

Trent Green had proven himself incredibly durable in his tenure with the Chiefs, and had started every game for the Chiefs since they acquired him in a 2001 trade.[47] Green suffered a severe head injury in the 2006 season opener, when he was hit outside the pocket by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers.[47] The injury would sideline him for the next eight games.[47][48] He considered retirement but said neurosurgeons and neurophysiologists told him he faced no increased risk of Alzheimer's disease or dementia if he resumed playing with the team.[48] Damon Huard took over in Green's absence while Green recovered, and coach Herman Edwards stated that Green would reclaim the position when he got healthy.[44] The situation with Huard was compared to the Gannon-Grbac controversy from seven years earlier.[2][44] Until he replaced Green in week one, Huard had thrown one pass in a game since 2000 and started in six games.[35][44] Huard played in ten games throwing 11 touchdown passes and only one interception for a quarterback rating of 98.0 with the Chiefs.[34] The Chiefs went 5–3 in games with Huard starting, but when Trent Green reclaimed his starting job, he managed a 4–4 record and threw 7 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. When Green returned, the opinions of Chiefs fans were divided.[49] Half wanted Damon Huard while others remained loyal to Green.[49] Edwards eventually chose Green to start the team's playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.[49] Edwards had said that if Green struggled, he wouldn’t hesitate to substitute Huard into the game:[50]


The Chiefs' offense stumbled in the 23–8 loss,[49] and Green threw for 107 yards on 14-of-24 passing with two interceptions.[51] Kansas City's initial first down came with 3:34 remaining in the third quarter, and managed 126 total yards on offense.[51]

In late January, Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson told Green that he would have to restructure his contract to remain with the team and to brace for a lesser role on offense.[49] Green was also granted permission to explore options of a trade.[52][53] The February 2007 contract agreement with Huard, who would have been an unrestricted free agent, was the first public indication that Green’s job was in danger.[54] The first team to have contacted the Chiefs' front office about acquiring Green was the Miami Dolphins, but Miami disagreements prolonged trade talks.[47] The Dolphins initially offered a seventh round draft pick to the Chiefs, but the Chiefs declined, instead seeking a second round pick in exchange for Green.[47] The Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns were also interested in Green, whom were both looking for a veteran quarterback.[47] Green had told the Chiefs that Miami was his preference for a trade,[53] being that he previously worked under both head coach Cam Cameron and longtime quarterbacks coach Terry Shea.[47][49] On draft day, the Chiefs and Dolphins could not reach a trade agreement. Green voiced his frustration,[55][56] and criticism was drawn to the Chiefs' apparent neglect to trade Green.[56]

Green stated that he was being treated unfairly on and off the field and that the 2007 quarterback competition was "substantially weighted" towards Croyle.[55] Green voiced his reluctance to be a backup to Croyle and Huard.[55] Head coach Herman Edwards voiced his own displeasure with Green's outspoken comments and simply said that he was "trying to create competition." The changes had become apparent to Green, whom learned of the dismissal of quarterbacks coach Terry Shea from Brodie Croyle.[49] He had also pointed out numerous occasions where Edwards had expressed the intention to start a younger quarterback to go along with the others in the AFC West.[55] Green's agent had also said that the Dolphins were willing to be "flexible" in the trade negotiations, but the Chiefs organization were reportedly ignoring their calls in late May.[57]

On June 5, the Chiefs agreed to trade Green to the Miami Dolphins for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.[31][53] The pick could have been upgraded to a fourth-rounder if Green reached certain predetermined playing time and performance levels.[31][53] A season-ending concussion sent Green to the disabled list, securing a fifth-round choice for the Chiefs.

On August 25, Damon Huard was named the Chiefs' starting quarterback for the season opener against the Houston Texans.[58] However, following an unproductive first half of the season Brodie Croyle was named the starter on November 12.[4] Huard was injured in a game the previous day against the Denver Broncos, and Croyle filled in for the remainder of the game. Croyle started his first NFL regular season game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome on November 18, 2007, but the Chiefs lost the game 10-13.[4][53] The Chiefs finished the season losing 9 consecutive games (a club record) and ended with a 4–12 record, their worst in 30 years. Croyle started six of the last seven games for the Chiefs, losing all six.

In 2008, Croyle started the Chiefs' opening game against the New England Patriots, but suffered a shoulder injury.[3] Damon Huard played for the remainder of the game and started the team's Week 2 matchup against the Oakland Raiders.[3] Huard was injured in the game and replaced by Tyler Thigpen.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gretz, Bob (2003-09-12). "Thinking about quarterbacks". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gretz, Bob (2006-11-01). "Quarterbacks and controversy". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Associated Press (2008-09-08). "Chiefs QB Croyle out for this week". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  4. ^ a b c d Associated Press (2007-11-12). "Huard out, Croyle in as Chiefs' starting quarterback". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  5. ^ a b c Williamson, Bill (2008-06-18). "Several '08 picks should make immediate impact". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  6. ^ a b c "Chiefs' Huard replaced by Thigpen after injury". Associated Press. 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  7. ^ "1962 Dallas Texans season". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  8. ^ "1993 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  9. ^ "Cotton Davidson". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  10. ^ a b c d e "This Week in Chiefs History". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "This Week in Chiefs History". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  12. ^ "Len Dawson". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  13. ^ "This Week in Chiefs History". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2007-11-02. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  14. ^ a b c d e Gretz, Bob (2006-04-27). "The quarterback myth". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  15. ^ "Todd Blackledge". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  16. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs History–1980's". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  17. ^ "Chiefs vs. Colts - Game 10 - November 18, 2007". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  18. ^ "Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - October 18, 1987". Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  19. ^ "Doug Hudson". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  20. ^ a b c "This Week in Chiefs History". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2008-04-04. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  21. ^ "Steve DeBerg". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  22. ^ a b Friend, Tom (1993-04-21). "Chiefs and 49ers come to terms on Montana trade at last". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  23. ^ a b c d e f "This Week in Chiefs History". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  24. ^ a b Dawes, Rufus (2007-01-02). "What's up with coverage of KC's QB? Part I". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  25. ^ a b c d "Trent Green". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  26. ^ a b Dawes, Rufus (2007-01-03). "What's up with coverage of KC's QB? Part II". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  27. ^ a b c Dawes, Rufus (2007-01-04). "What's up with coverage of KC's QB? Part III". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  28. ^ Dawes, Rufus (2007-01-05). "What's up with coverage of KC's QB? Part IV". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  29. ^ Dawes, Rufus (2007-01-06). "What's up with coverage of KC's QB? Part V". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  30. ^ a b c Associated Press (2008-03-10). "Trent Green agrees to 3-year deal to return to Rams". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g "Chiefs agree to trade QB Trent Green to Miami". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  32. ^ "Mike Livingston". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  33. ^ "Rich Gannon". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  34. ^ a b "Damon Huard". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  35. ^ a b c d Gretz, Bob (2006-10-26). "Huard performing a tough act to follow". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  36. ^ "1969 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  37. ^ "Tom Flores". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  38. ^ "2000 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  39. ^ a b "Warren Moon". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  40. ^ "Chiefs saw best and last of Moon". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2006-02-07. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  41. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers - November 26, 2000". Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  42. ^ "Ron Jaworski". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  43. ^ a b Bell, Jarrett (2003-01-23). "Gannon, Johnson take long climbs to Super Bowl summitt". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  44. ^ a b c d e f "Huard lifts Chiefs into playoff hunt". Associated Press. 2006-11-06. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  45. ^ a b c Rand, Jonathan (2008-07-24). "Relearning a rivalry". Kansas City Chiefs official website. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  46. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - January 2nd, 2000". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g Pasquarelli, Len (2007-04-15). "Dolphins expected to pursue trade for Chiefs' Green". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  48. ^ a b "Green to undergo further tests after suffering grade-three concussion". Associated Press. 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g Merrill, Elizabeth (2007-05-02). "Trent Green is on outside looking in". Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  50. ^ a b Yoon, Phil (2007-01-03). "Herm Edwards to Trent Green: I Love Ya, But I Just Bought a Hook". Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  51. ^ a b "Colts turn up the 'D' in 23-8 wild-card win". 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  52. ^ "Joint statement from Carl Peterson and Jim Steiner". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2006-03-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  53. ^ a b c d e Pasquarelli, Len (2007-06-05). "Green goes to Dolphins". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19. Cite error: The named reference "Green goes to Dolphins" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  54. ^ Associated Press (2006-03-06). "Chief to be chopped?". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  55. ^ a b c d Lerner, Keven (2007-05-07). "Trent Green saga continues". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  56. ^ a b Merrill, Elizabeth (2007-05-02). "QB situation not a distraction for Edwards". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  57. ^ Associated Press (2007-05-24). "Green's agent says Chiefs won't return calls". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  58. ^ Associated Press (2007-08-25). "Backup no more: Huard earns starting role in K.C." ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
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