Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next
quarterback, patrick mahomes
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 21: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs rolls out of the pocket in the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

2010s: Patrick Mahomes’ 2018 Season

The current decade started with a bang. The Chiefs’ acquisition of Matt Cassel appeared to solve the franchise’s quarterback woes by throwing for 27 touchdowns compared to only 7 interceptions, Dwayne Bowe led the league in receiving touchdowns with 15, and Jamaal Charles was entering rarified air as one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs. Things were looking up.

Unfortunately, fans would have to endure two more years of mediocrity. In his third year as head coach Todd Haley would have his second losing season. That along with his strange relationship with general manager Scott Pioli and the front office as a whole would lead to his firing. In his place would land Super Bowl winning defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.

Crennel got the job mostly because of his coaching the team to a victory over the undefeated Green Bay Packers immediately following the firing of Haley. Clark Hunt would never admit that, I’m sure, but it was a reasonable response. The win was inspiring. As a fan, it gave me hope.

It wasn’t long before that hope was dashed to pieces. The following year the team would win only one game in their first eleven and finish the year with only two wins total. Understandably, Crennel was relieved of his duties after only one season that stands as one of the worst years in franchise history.

Yet, reflecting back, the Chiefs were fortunate to be so bad that year and move on so quickly from their head coach. They’re fortunate because not far to the Northeast, a jolly man dressed in midnight green, black, and silver was ready for a fresh start.

The hiring of Andy Reid was a godsend for a franchise without direction. He brought in stability that has culminated in five playoff appearances in six years, two playoff wins, a first-round draft pick and phenom at quarterback, three straight division titles for the first time in franchise history, and the first-ever AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium this past season. This past season is where this list will end, but where the Chiefs’ and its fans’ good fortune is just beginning.

Not only was the 2018 campaign the greatest Chiefs’ quarterback season of the entire decade, to this point, it was one of the greatest quarterback seasons in the history of the NFL. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that it transcends the NFL and is one of the greatest individual seasons a player has had in any sport. It’s no wonder that national pundits have begun referring to Mahomes as the “Steph Curry of the NFL.” His season stands by itself amongst the greatest in any sport.

Patrick Mahomes was unreal from Week 1 on. Just when you thought he might be showing some growing pains and chinks in his armor, he’d blow you away with another spectacular performance. He set team records for passing with 5,097 yards and touchdowns with 50. He had numerous MVP moments and was rewarded with an invitation to the Pro Bowl, First Team All Pro as the league’s best quarterback, and the first NFL MVP award a Chief has earned in the franchise’s history.

While the season ultimately ended in defeat, Mahomes’ legend is just beginning as a Chiefs’ quarterback. When it’s all said and done, it’s hard not to expect that he’s in the conversation for best Chiefs’ quarterback of all time. In fact, there likely won’t need to be a conversation at all.

Other Notable Seasons:

  • Matt Cassel – 2010 – 10 wins (15 games), 58% completion rate, 27 touchdowns, 3,116 passing yards
  • Alex Smith – 2017 – 9 wins (15 games), 68% completion rate, 26 touchdowns, 4,042 passing yards
Home/Kansas City Chiefs History