Ranking the worst KC Chiefs teams of all time
#3: 2009 (4-12)
Spoiler alert: The final three years on this list all hail from the 21st century, showcasing the struggles of recent times.
One of the most infamous coaches in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs was Todd Haley, and 2009 was his first with the team. Coming off a disastrous prior season (more on that later), there was an expectation for the team to take a much-needed step forward.
Despite the coaching change, the Chiefs found themselves finishing last in the AFC West for the second consecutive year. In April of that year, the team traded franchise legend Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta while acquiring polarizing quarterback Matt Cassel from New England.
The season started on a sour note with a discouraging 0-5 start, including a three-game losing streak against NFC East opponents and a perplexing home loss to Oakland, during which the Chiefs managed to score only ten points despite amassing over 400 yards of total offense.
Notable defeats included an overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys, a crushing 44-13 blowout against the Broncos, as well as lopsided losses of 43-14 and 37-7 against San Diego. In a Week 15 heartbreaker, the Chiefs inexplicably allowed Cleveland running back Jerome Harrison to amass an almost NFL-record 286 rushing yards in a 41-34 defeat.
Despite Todd Haley being a rookie head coach, a 4-12 record simply fell far short of expectations. The offense performed below average, and the defense was nothing short of atrocious. Some may argue that this team was even worse than their abysmal record would suggest.
Amidst the disappointment, the 2009 season did have its bright spots. The team managed to upset the formidable Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, and Jamaal Charles set the Chiefs' single-game rushing record in Week 17 against Denver. Furthermore, the team's poor performance led to a Top 5 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, which they utilized to select Eric Berry.
In terms of rankings, the 2009 Chiefs placed 55th (out of 60) in Win %, 57th in Point Differential per Game, and 58th in SRS.