Which position groups are the strongest in Chiefs history?

#3: Running Backs – While the Hall of Fame credentials are lacking, Chiefs running back room is as deep as any other team in the NFL.

Maybe its a hot take, but we might take the Chiefs historical running back room over any other team in NFL history. It feels like, even at the franchise’s lowest points, that Kansas City has always had a great running back.

Obviously that isn’t exactly true – but consider the following list: Jamaal Charles, Priest Holmes, Joe Delaney, Abner Haynes, Christian Okoye, Larry Johnson, Mike Garrett, Curtis McClinton and Marcus Allen. In addition, the unit gets to add some all-time great fullbacks in Tony Richardson, Kimble Anders and Anthony Sherman.

All told, despite only fielding two starters in the group per season (second lowest of all position groups behind only quarterback), this unit has 10 1st Team All-Pro selections and 30 Pro Bowl appearances. The Chiefs have averaged having a Pro Bowl running back in 50% of the franchise’s 60 seasons.

While Marcus Allen is the group’s only Hall of Famer, and was voted in largely based on credentials from his career before Kansas City, it is difficult not to look at the Chiefs’ list and be impressed. And, we all know that the way running backs are evaluated for the Hall of Fame is a dated, unjust exercise based unfairly on longevity over everything else.

During their careers, Abner Haynes, Christian Okoye, Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles could have all been considered the best running backs in football during at least one season. In fact, Haynes, Holmes and Okoye all led the NFL in rushing for a season during their careers.

The Chiefs have had a mixture of good fortune, quality offensive line play, and sheer talent in their running back room for most of the team’s history. Perhaps 2020 first round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be the next in a long line of great backs for Kansas City.