Tony Gonzalez (USA Today)
In making this list, you’ll notice that most of the guys on it are current stars or go back to the Hank Stram era of the Chiefs. While the Stram era was great, the current era is even better. The fact that guys like Otis Taylor, Priest Holmes, Ed Budde, and Emmitt Thomas aren’t on this list speaks volumes as to the abundance of great players that have played for the Chiefs.
10. Johnny Robinson
This is probably a surprise pick, but I think Robinson is kind of a sleeper in Chiefs history. Johnny’s career ran from 1960–1971. He was the consensus best safety in the AFL from 1965–70. Robinson led the league in interceptions with 10 in both 1966 and 1970. Robinson played in both Super Bowls the Chiefs appeared in. Johnny gets bonus points for playing offense early in his career. Johnny was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and was named to the All-Pro team six times.
9. Len Dawson
Back in the ’60s and up until the mid-70s Lenny was a cool, precision quarterback. From 1962–69 Len led the AFL in passing percentage. Dawson also led the AFL in TD passes four times. To me, Dawson is like Alex Smith with a better resume. Lenny was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and the All-Pro team twice. Dawson quarterbacked the Chiefs to two Super Bowls, losing in Super Bowl I, but winning Super Bowl IV. To me, Len Dawson is still, “Lenny the Cool”.
8. Tony Gonzalez
Tony is simply one of the best pass-catching TEs in the history of the NFL. In 12 seasons with the Chiefs, he caught 912 passes for 10940 yards and 73 TDS. Tony led the NFL in receptions 102 in 2004. Gonzalez eclipsed 1000 yards in receptions four times during his time in Kansas City. Tony was named to the All-Pro team five times and the Pro Bowl from 1999–2008. In addition to having great productivity, Gonzalez had great longevity. That’s a rare combination in the NFL.
7. Buck Buchanan
The Chiefs have had some great defensive linemen in their history. Buck Buchanan is perhaps the greatest one of all. Buchanan played during the Chiefs’ glory days, including their Super Bowl championship. Buck was a Pro Bowler from 1964–71 and an All-Pro from 1966–69. At 6’7” and 270–287 pounds, depending on what report you believe, Buchanan was a huge lineman for his time. He also was very athletic for a defensive tackle. In addition, he was very durable. He started in 166 consecutive games at one point. Buck was one of the greatest defensive linemen in the history of the AFL.
6. Tyreek Hill
Hill plays like a video game character come to life. In a great six- year career with the Chiefs, Tyreek had his best year in 2020, catching 15 TD passes and running for a couple of more. While with the Chiefs, Hill was named to six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. In addition to being the fastest guy in the NFL, Hill also has great hands and is tough and shifty in the open field. It seems almost unfair that Mahomes had a weapon like Hill to work with. He’s now wreaking havoc on defenses with the Dolphins.
5. Derrick Thomas
In 169 career games, Thomas recorded 126.5 sacks. Thomas was really, really good at getting to the quarterback. In 1990 he led the NFL in sacks with 20. Thomas was in double digits in sacks seven times in his 11 years with the Chiefs. Derrick also forced 41 fumbles during his career, twice leading in the NFL in that category. His career-high in that category was eight, which he recorded in 1992. You can also add two all Pro teams to Derrick’s career stats.
4. Travis Kelce
Over the last six seasons, Travis has caught 600 passes good for 7428 yards and 52 TDs. He and Tyreek Hill formed one of the best, if not the best WR/TE combos in the history of the NFL. I don’t know how Kelce always seems to get open, but he does. Like the other current stars on the Chiefs, he shows up during the playoffs. I’m not sure Travius is through climbing this list.
3. Bobby Bell
Bobby is simply one of the greatest outside linebackers of all time. In 12 seasons with the Chiefs, Bell displayed big play ability. Bell intercepted 26 passes, returning six of them for TDs during his career. He teamed with Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch to give the Chiefs one of the best linebacking corps in the game from the mid-’60s to mid-70s. Bell also appeared in both of the Chiefs’ Super Bowls. Bobby was a Pro Bowler nine times and named to the All-Pro team six times.
2. Willie Lanier
I’ve thought of Willie Lanier as the Dick Butkus of the AFL. That’s about as high a compliment as I can give to a middle linebacker. Of course, Chiefs fans may think of Dick Butkus as the Willie Lanier of the NFL. Willie was named to the Pro Bowl from 1968–75. He was named an All-Pro three times. Willie had a high number of interceptions for a middle linebacker, picking up 27 passes as a Chief. Willie was one of the greatest middle linebackers in the history of the NFL.
1. Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is simply the most dynamic football player I’ve ever seen. A tremendous passer of the football, Patrick (Not Pat) is also a sneaky good runner. In addition, Mahomes is an exceedingly intelligent QB. I could run through a bunch of stats, which in Mahomes’ case is staggering, but the eye test is all you really need to see the greatness of Mahomes. Tom Brady has the best record in the history of the NFL, but Mahomes is the most talented guy I’ve ever seen. Mahomes 2023 season, while not his greatest statistically, was perhaps his most exceptional in leading the Chiefs to another Super Bowl win despite having a subpar group of WRs.
So, what changes would you make to this list?
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