The top five running backs in KC Chiefs history
Priest Holmes
Priest Holmes comes in at number two on our list of Kansas City Chiefs running backs, but there’s an argument to be made he’s actually the most dominant running back in franchise history. Undrafted out of the University of Texas, the running mate to Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, Holmes is the definition of an underdog.
Signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 1997, Holmes burst onto the scene in 1998 rushing for 1,008 yards and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, his production declined over the next two seasons and he was eventually supplanted as starter by rookie and future All Pro Jamal Lewis. Luckily for Holmes, brighter days laid ahead in Kansas City, Missouri.
During the 2001 offseason, Holmes signed with the Chiefs and the rest is history. In his first season with the team, behind one of the greatest offensive lines of all time, Holmes set the league on fire. He rushed for 1,555 yards and 8 touchdowns, adding another 614 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air. As incredible as this season was, his next two would be even better.
Holmes broke the current touchdown mark for a season in 2003, but 2002 may have been his best and the best for a running back in Chiefs history. In a prior article, I wrote about how Holmes 2002 season was the best individual season a running back has ever had. Had he played all 16 games he’d have the current NFL record for yards from scrimmage in a single season and would still have broken the touchdown record in the same year.
All in all, he produced an incredible 163 yards per game over 14 starts and eclipsed 2,000 total yards for the second of three straight seasons. He’d go on to break the touchdown record in 2003, join Emmitt Smith as the only running backs with two straight seasons of 20 or more touchdowns, and break the Chiefs all-time rushing mark in 2007. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All Pro.
I’ll be honest, there’s part of me that thinks Priest Holmes deserves to be number one on this list. From a productivity standpoint, his three-year stretch from 2001-2003 might be unmatched in the history of the NFL.
That said, the number one running back on our list outpaced Holmes’ career in several important categories on a far worse team and behind a far worse offensive line. There are few who were more naturally gifted at running the football than the next and final player on this list.