Casey Wiegmann, OL
Casey Wiegmann was a very underrated center for the Chiefs, earning just one Pro Bowl in his career. He spent a total of nine total seasons with the Chiefs in his two stints with the franchise.
During the early 2000s, running back Priest Holmes was famous for his goal-line dives right up the middle to the end zone in Kansas City, which was due to Wiegmann’s reliable run-blocking. When Wiegmann returned to the Chiefs in 2010 after two years in Denver, he had a big hand in helping the Chiefs have the best rushing attack in the NFL with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.
Wiegmann was an iron man and finished his career with more than 11,100 snaps and 175 consecutive starts, both of which were the longest active streaks by an NFL offensive lineman at the time. Part of a historic offensive line during the 2000s, which includes a pair of Hall of Famers in Will Shields and Willie Roaf, Wiegmann certainly deserves some consideration to have his name enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
Tim Grunhard, OL
Before Casey Wiegmann came to Kansas City, the Chiefs had another underrated center in Tim Grunhard, who was voted to just a single Pro Bowl. Grunhard was a viable center for Kansas City. In his entire 11-year career, all with the Chiefs, he started 164 games while appearing in 169, plus 10 more appearances in the postseason. He missed only seven games in his career while starting all 16 games for seven consecutive seasons.
Grunhard snapped the ball for Joe Montana, Elvis Grbac and Rich Ganon while paving the way for Christian Okoye, Kimble Anders and Marcus Allen. It took 10 years, but Grunhard finally got recognized for his performance at center when he got a Pro Bowl invite in 1999.
Brian Waters, OL
Like Casey Wiegmann, Brian Waters was part of one of the best offensive lines in NFL history during the 2000s in Kansas City. Waters blocked for Trent Green and Matt Cassel, who received at least one Pro Bowl invite during their time as a Chief. Waters also blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers in Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles. Undrafted out of North Texas, Waters punched his ticket to the Pro Bowl six times and was named to the first-team All-Pro.
Priest Holmes, RB
Priest Holmes was a running back machine during his time with the Chiefs. In his first year with the team in 2001, Holmes led the league in rushing with 1,555 yards. He finished third in the same category in 2002 while leading the league with 21 rushing touchdowns. He finished in the top 10 in rushing yards in 2003 while scoring 27 touchdowns, breaking Shaun Alexander’s record. Holmes’ touchdown record stood for three seasons.
For his elite success during those three years, Holmes was named to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro each of those three seasons. Holmes owns the NFL record for most yards from scrimmage per game in a season with 163.4 yards per game, which was set in 2002.
Although Holmes won a Super Bowl in 2000 with the Baltimore Ravens, he only started two games that year. Holmes’ Hall of Fame case is a difficult one to make. He hit the record books multiple times and shined when he was on top. The problem is his dominance as being tabbed the best running back was very brief due to injuries.
Tony Richardson, FB
No pure blocking fullback has even been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame nor been on a ballot. Should Tony Richardson be the first?
Richardson played a big role in Priest Holmes’ success as well as the best seasons of Larry Johnson’s career. After his time in Kansas City, Richardson, who was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, helped Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson in Minnesota and Thomas Jones with the Jets to rush for 1,000 yards.
Although Marcus Allen never rushed for 1,000 yards in Kansas City, Richardson was instrumental in helping Allen score 44 rushing touchdowns in five seasons. Wherever Richardson goes, running backs succeed. That’s not a coincidence. The three-time Pro Bowler should earn some consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Marty Schottenheimer, HC
The Chiefs were Super Bowl champions in 1969 and Marty Schottenheimer was named the head coach of the Chiefs in 1989. In the 19 years inbetween, the Chiefs only had six winning seasons and two postseason appearances.
The late, great Schottenheimer revamped the franchise. The Chiefs finished above .500 in nine of the 10 seasons Schottenheimer coached with his tenth season being his worst with the Chiefs with a 7-9 record. Schottenheimer has 101 wins with the Chiefs and 200 wins altogether, which is the seventh most in NFL history.
Schottenheimer’s biggest flaw was his postseason record, where his teams went 5-13 as a head coach. A lack of championships and limited success may take time before Schottenheimer gets in. But his overall accomplishments should still one day land him in Canton.