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The best Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback seasons from each decade

By Jordan Mannix

Joe Montana #19, Quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs calls the play at the snap during the American Football Conference West game against his former team the San Francisco 49er on 11 September 1994 at the Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, United States. The Chiefs won the game 24 - 17. (Photo by Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images)
Joe Montana #19, Quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs calls the play at the snap during the American Football Conference West game against his former team the San Francisco 49er on 11 September 1994 at the Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, United States. The Chiefs won the game 24 - 17. (Photo by Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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quarterback, Len Dawson
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Former NFL player Len Dawson attends the 5th Annual NFL Honors at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on February 6, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) /

1960s: Len Dawson’s 1962 Season

The 1960s were spectacular for the Chiefs’ organization. You could argue it was the most important decade for current fans, considering the franchise chose to relocate from Dallas to Kansas City and change its name from the Texans to the Chiefs. The move was precipitated in large part because Dallas was seemingly unable to support two teams, the other team being the Dallas Cowboys.

Ironically, Kansas City wasn’t Hunt’s first choice. His primary concern in those days was his ability to commute between Dallas and the team’s new home. He set his eyes on several locations, but focused heavily on Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. If not for the local university’s disdain at the idea of competing with a professional franchise for attendance, the franchise may have never made its way to the Midwest. Luckily for Chiefs’ fans, following the failed move to Louisiana, Mayor Bartle was able to convince Hunt to move the team to Kansas City.

The 1960s were also a great decade due to the play on the field. In total, the franchise won three AFL championships in 1962, 1966, and 1969 and won the franchise’s only Super Bowl to end the 1969 season. As far as quarterback seasons are concerned, Len Dawson’s 1962 season checks in as the greatest of the decade for a couple important reasons.

Dawson had a spectacular 1962 campaign completing 61 percent of his passes for 2,759 yards and 29 touchdowns. This touchdown mark would remain a top ten number through the 1994 season. What’s more, he averaged 8.9 yards per attempt which remained in the top ten all time until 1997. He would cap this off by winning the AFL’s Player of the Year Award.

What makes this season great aside from Dawson’s statistical accomplishments, and why it is the best overall of the decade, was that Dawson commanded the team to it’s first of many championships defeating the Houston Oilers in the AFL Championship in double overtime 20-17.

While this was a great season, some fans may argue that his best season was 1964. During this season Dawson threw for more yards and more touchdowns. This was, in fact, his best individual season statistically, with his franchise record in touchdowns standing for the next 54 seasons, but the team finished with only seven wins on the year. In this case, the minor improvement statistically is negatively impacted by the team’s mediocre season.

Further, some fans may argue that Dawson’s 1966 season also ended in an AFL Championship and a Super Bowl Berth. Dawson’s stats were comparable so this could easily be his best. This is a solid argument, but in this case the nod for best season goes to 1962 simply because that year ended in victory whereas 1966 ended in defeat.

Dawson would only continue his dominance throughout the 1960s. During the six-year stretch from 1962 to 1967 he would average nearly 2600 yards passing and 26 touchdowns per year. To this day, this remains as one of the greatest stretches for a Chiefs’ quarterback in the history of the franchise.

Other Notable Seasons:

  • Len Dawson – 1964 – 7 wins (14 games), 56.2% completion rate, 30 touchdowns, 2879 yards passing
  • Len Dawson – 1966 – 11 wins (14 games), 56% completion rate, 26 touchdowns, 2527 yards passing
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