Which position groups are the strongest in Chiefs history?

#1: Linebackers – The Chiefs have one of the greatest linebacking histories in all of football.

Kansas City’s collection of ten linebackers may seem like a small number given that three (or four) players start here each season. But the longevity of each, coupled with their placement in NFL history, makes this the strongest overall position group in team history.

The Chiefs linebacking corps has been recognized as having a 1st Team All-Pro player in more than a third of its seasons (on average) with 21 such selections. The team has also had 46 Pro Bowl appearances, averaging three in every four seasons since 1960. And, perhaps most notably, the unit features three Pro Football Hall of Famers in Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier and Derrick Thomas.

In addition to those names, the Chiefs have been blessed with Derrick Johnson, Justin Houston, Jim Lynch, Sherrill Headrick, Walt Corey, EJ Holub and Dino Hackett.

Perhaps what is more remarkable are to consider some of the ways in which the team has acquired this talent. Consider that: Jim Lynch and Willie Lanier were selected in the same round, in the same draft (1967); Bobby Bell was a seventh round pick because no one thought he’d sign with the AFL; Sherrill Headrick dropped out of college and starting working in an oil field before walking onto the Dallas Texans; and Justin Houston inexplicably dropped all the way to the 3rd round of the draft due to character concerns.

The Chiefs have an excellent history and are likely one of the top 10, if not top 5, all-time rosters in NFL history. But amongst all of the groups, linebackers are the best position in team history.