7 Best Kansas City Chiefs Players of All Time, Ranked

The modern-day Kansas City Chiefs have had ample success over the last half-decade-plus, but they’ve existed since 1959 (originally known as the Dallas Texans) and joined the NFL in 1970. 

Over that time, they’ve won four Super Bowls and five conference championships, and today, they are almost always an NFL betting odds favourite.

There have been many excellent players to play for this franchise over the years, and here, I’ll provide you with my picks for the seven best of all time, including two current stars. 

7 Best Kansas City Chiefs Players of All Time, Ranked

Who Are the Best Kansas City Chiefs Ever?

1. Patrick Mahomes

While his career is far from done, it’s hard to deny how incredible Mahomes has been. The Chiefs made a franchise-altering move during the 2017 NFL Draft when they traded up to take Mahomes with the 10th overall pick. 

He started Week 17 of his rookie season before taking over in 2018. Since becoming the starter, he’s led his team to the AFC championship game every season and has won two Super Bowls, three Super Bowl MVPs, two league MVP awards, the 2018 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, is a two-time first-team All-Pro, and has been named to six Pro Bowls. 

He currently holds multiple NFL records, including passing touchdowns in a single postseason (tied with 11), and total yards by a quarterback in a season (5,614).

2. Derrick Thomas

Thomas is undoubtedly the best player in Chiefs history, if not for Mahomes. He was drafted No. 4 overall in 1989. He finished his rookie year with 75 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, and a Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. 

He then had 20 sacks and six forced fumbles in his second season. He finished his career with 126.5 sacks and holds the NFL record for most sacks in a game with seven. 

He holds Chiefs records for career sacks (126.5), forced fumbles (41), and safeties (three). 

He’s a member of the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

3. Travis Kelce

Next, we’re looking at Mahomes’ No. 1 target and tight end. 

Kelce has more than 1,000 receptions and 12,000 receiving yards. In the playoffs, he’s accumulated 178 receptions for 2,078 yards and 20 touchdowns in 25 games (and counting). 

He holds several NFL records, including, but not limited to: 

• Career postseason receptions (174)
• Postseason games with 100+ receiving yards (nine)
• Career postseason games with 1 or more receiving touchdowns (15)
• Receiving yards in a season by a tight end (1,416)

4. Tony Gonzalez

Gonzalez played 12 seasons with the Chiefs, finishing with 916 receptions for 10,940 yards and 76 touchdowns. Kelce will break those numbers perhaps within the first game of the 2024-25 season. 

Gonzalez is easily the most statistically productive tight end of all time and holds records in career receiving yards (15,127) and receptions by a tight end (1,325). He’s a six-time first-team All-Pro, was named second-team All-Pro four other times, was a 14-time Pro Bowler, and led the league in receptions in 2004. 

5. Len Dawson

Outside of Mahomes, Dawson is the best Chiefs quarterback. He was drafted No. 5 overall in 1957 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he’s most known for his tenure with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, where he played from 1962 to 1975. 

He won Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs and compiled a 93-56-8 record. He threw for 28,507 yards, 237 touchdowns, and 178 interceptions with the team. 

He was the Super Bowl IV MVP, his No. 16 is retired by the Chiefs, and he’s a member of the team’s Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

6. Bobby Bell

Bell was a member of that same Super Bowl IV team with Dawson and played with the Chiefs from 1963 to 1974. He totalled 40 sacks, 26 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, and eight defensive touchdowns in his career. 

As for accolades, he was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1969, made a first-team and second-team All-Pro squad, was a three-time Pro Bowler, and his No. 78 is retired by the Chiefs. 

7. Priest Holmes

Finishing off the list is one of the best running backs the Chiefs have had. Priest Holmes began his career with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Chiefs in 2001. He had 1,321 carries for 6,070 yards and 76 touchdowns with the Chiefs. 

In the receiving game, he had 251 receptions for 2,377 yards and seven touchdowns. Holmes suffered a spine injury in 2006 before playing one more season in 2007. 

He averaged nearly 4.6 yards per carry but had an incredible three-year span from 2001 to 2003. He had at least 1,420 yards each season and 48 rushing touchdowns in 2002 and 2003 combined. 

He won the 2002 Offensive Player of the Year award, made three Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro teams, and led the league in rushing once and rushing touchdowns twice. 

In those three seasons, he had 4,590 yards and 56 rushing touchdowns.