List of Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterbacks

The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League (NFL). Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League. In 1963, the team moved to Kansas City, Missouri and were renamed the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs have had 33 starting quarterbacks in their franchise's history.[1][2][3] Cotton Davidson was the team's first starting quarterback; he played all 14 games for the Texans in their inaugural 1960 season.[1] Davidson played with the franchise from 1960 to 1962,[4] and was traded in 1963 to the Oakland Raiders.[5] Len Dawson signed with on July 2, 1962 and played for the franchise for 14 seasons.[5][6] With Dawson as the team's starter, the Texans/Chiefs won three American Football League championships and appeared in two Super Bowl championship games.[6] Dawson was named Most Valuable Player after the Chiefs' victory in Super Bowl IV and retired in 1975 with several franchise records.[6][7] Three future Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees played for Kansas City: Dawson, Joe Montana, and Warren Moon. In the 2008 season, the Chiefs started three quarterbacks: Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, and Tyler Thigpen.[8][9][10][11][12] After Croyle and Huard were sidelined by injuries, Thigpen played in eleven games, winning one and losing ten. In 2009 and 2010, Matt Cassel started 15 of 16 games each season, while Croyle started the other 2 games.

Starting quarterbacks by season

Alex Smith was the team's starter from 2013-2017
Chase Daniel started one game each in 2014 and 2015
Matt Cassel's 15 starts in 2009 were the most for one Chiefs starting quarterback since Trent Green's complete season in 2005.
Tyler Thigpen was the third different starting quarterback for the Chiefs in the 2008 season.[11]
Damon Huard (left) and Brodie Croyle (right) split the starting quarterback duties in the 2007 season.
Trent Green was the team's starter from 2001 to 2006
Elvis Grbac (#11) in huddle
Len Dawson started games for the Chiefs from 1962 to 1975

The number of games started in the season by each player is listed in small parentheses. Statistics do not include postseason starts.

SeasonQuarterback(s)Reference(s)
Dallas Texans 1960–1962
1960Cotton Davidson (13) / Hunter Enis (1)[4][13][14]
1961Cotton Davidson (12) / Randy Duncan (2)[15][16]
1962Len Dawson (14)[17][18]
Kansas City Chiefs 1963–present
1963Len Dawson (13) / Eddie Wilson (1)[19][20]
1964Len Dawson (14)[21]
1965Len Dawson (12) / Pete Beathard (2)[22][23]
1966Len Dawson (14)[24]
1967Len Dawson (14)[25]
1968Len Dawson (13) / Jacky Lee (1)[26][27]
1969Len Dawson (7) / Jacky Lee (1) / Mike Livingston (6)[28][29]
1970Len Dawson (12) / Mike Livingston (2)[30]
1971Len Dawson (13) / Mike Livingston (1)[31]
1972Len Dawson (12) / Mike Livingston (2)[32]
1973Mike Livingston (8) / Len Dawson (6)[33]
1974Len Dawson (8) / Mike Livingston (6)[34]
1975Mike Livingston (7) / Len Dawson (5) / Tony Adams (2)[2][35]
1976Mike Livingston (14)[36]
1977Mike Livingston (11) / Tony Adams (3)[37][38]
1978[a]Mike Livingston (14) / Tony Adams (2)[39]
1979Steve Fuller (12) / Mike Livingston (4)[2][40][41]
1980Steve Fuller (13) / Bill Kenney (3)[2][42][43]
1981Bill Kenney (13) / Steve Fuller (3)[44]
1982[b]Bill Kenney (6) / Steve Fuller (3)[45]
1983Bill Kenney (16)[46]
1984Todd Blackledge (8) / Bill Kenney (8)[2][47][48]
1985Todd Blackledge (6) / Bill Kenney (10)[49]
1986Bill Kenney (8) / Todd Blackledge (8)[50]
1987[b][c]Bill Kenney (8) / Todd Blackledge (2) / Matt Stevens (2)
Frank Seurer (2) / Doug Hudson (1)		[2][51][52][53][54]
1988Steve DeBerg (11) / Bill Kenney (5)[2][55][56]
1989Steve DeBerg (10) / Ron Jaworski (3) / Steve Pelluer (3)[2][57][58][59]
1990Steve DeBerg (16)[60]
1991Steve DeBerg (15) / Mark Vlasic (1)[2][61][62]
1992Dave Krieg (16)[2][63][64]
1993Joe Montana (11) / Dave Krieg (5)[2][65][66]
1994Joe Montana (14) / Steve Bono (2)[2][67][68]
1995Steve Bono (16)[69]
1996Steve Bono (13) / Rich Gannon (3)[2][70][71]
1997Elvis Grbac (10) / Rich Gannon (6)[2][72][73]
1998Rich Gannon (10) / Elvis Grbac (6)[74]
1999Elvis Grbac (16)[75]
2000Elvis Grbac (15) / Warren Moon (1)[2][76][77]
2001Trent Green (16)[78][79]
2002Trent Green (16)[80]
2003Trent Green (16)[81]
2004Trent Green (16)[82]
2005Trent Green (16)[83]
2006Trent Green (8) / Damon Huard (8)[84][85]
2007Brodie Croyle (10) / Damon Huard (6)[86][87]
2008[d]Brodie Croyle (3) / Tyler Thigpen (11) / Damon Huard (2)[8][12][88]
2009Matt Cassel (15) / Brodie Croyle (1)[89]
2010Matt Cassel (15) / Brodie Croyle (1)[90]
2011Matt Cassel (9) / Tyler Palko (4) / Kyle Orton (3)[91]
2012Matt Cassel (8) / Brady Quinn (8)[92]
2013Alex Smith (15) / Chase Daniel (1)[93]
2014Alex Smith (15) / Chase Daniel (1)[94]
2015Alex Smith (16)[95]
2016Alex Smith (15) / Nick Foles (1)[96]
2017Alex Smith (15) / Patrick Mahomes II (1)[97]

Most games as starting quarterback

As of the 2017 season

GP Games played
GS Games started
W Number of wins as starting quarterback
L Number of losses as starting quarterback
T Number of ties as starting quarterback
Pct Winning percentage as starting quarterback
Name GP GS W L T Pct
Len Dawson 18315894568.620
Trent Green 888848400.545
Bill Kenney 1067734430.442
Alex Smith 767650260.658
Mike Livingston 907530431.412
Steve DeBerg 575231201.606
Elvis Grbac 494726210.553
Matt Cassel 484719280.404
Steve Fuller 523113180.419
Steve Bono 373121100.677
Cotton Davidson 282512130.480

Most touchdowns

These quarterbacks have the most touchdowns in the Chiefs history as of the 2017 season.

NamePeriodStartsPassing TDRushing TDTotal TD
1Len Dawson 1962–19751582379246
2Trent Green 2001–2006881113114
3Bill Kenney 1980–1988771055110
4Alex Smith 2013–20177610210112
5Elvis Grbac 1997–20004766268

Notes

a : Since the 1978 NFL season, all teams have played 16-game schedules.[98]
b : Strikes by the National Football League Players Association in the 1982 and 1987 seasons resulted in shortened seasons (9 and 15-game schedules, respectively).[99]
c : Replacement quarterbacks Matt Stevens, Frank Seurer, and Doug Hudson started for the Chiefs alongside Kenney and Blackledge following the NFL Players Association strike in 1987. For the only time in team history, five different quarterbacks started in 1987 following the player's strike.[2][51][100]
d : By Week 3 of the 2008 season, Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, and Tyler Thigpen had all started one game each.[8] Both Croyle and Huard suffered injuries in their respective starts in Weeks 1 and 2.[8][10] Thigpen started the Chiefs' Week 3 game against the Falcons,[11] Huard started in Weeks 4 and 5. Croyle returned to start in Week 7 and suffered a season-ending knee injury.[12] Both Croyle and Huard were placed on injured reserve following the game, leading to Thigpen's second start, against the Jets in Week 8.[101] Thigpen was the starting quarterback through the remainder of the season.

References

General
  • Herb, Patrick, Kuhbander, Brad, Looney, Josh, and Moris, Pete, eds. 2008 Kansas City Chiefs Media Guide, Kansas City Chiefs Football Club, Inc., 2008
Specific
  1. 1 2 Herb, Kuhbander, Looney, and Moris. p. 400
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Gretz, Bob (2003-09-12). "Thinking about quarterbacks". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  3. ↑ Gretz, Bob (2006-11-01). "Quarterbacks and controversy". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  4. 1 2 "Cotton Davidson". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  5. 1 2 "This Week in Chiefs History". Kansas City Chiefs. 2007-07-06. Archived from the original on 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  6. 1 2 3 Herb, Kuhbander, Looney, and Moris. p. 417
  7. ↑ "This Week in Chiefs History". Kansas City Chiefs official website. 2007-08-10. Archived from the original on 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Associated Press (2008-09-08). "Chiefs QB Croyle out for this week". National Football League. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  9. ↑ Williamson, Bill (2008-06-18). "Several '08 picks should make immediate impact". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  10. 1 2 "Chiefs' Huard replaced by Thigpen after injury". Associated Press. 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  11. 1 2 3 "Chiefs QB Thigpen to start vs. Falcons". Associated Press. 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  12. 1 2 3 Associated Press (2008-10-19). "Chiefs QB Croyle sprains right knee, done for the season". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  13. ↑ "1960 Dallas Texans season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  14. ↑ "Hunter Enis". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  15. ↑ "1961 Dallas Texans season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  16. ↑ "Randy Duncan". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  17. ↑ "1962 Dallas Texans season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  18. ↑ "Len Dawson". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  19. ↑ "1963 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-09-21. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  20. ↑ "Eddie Wilson". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  21. ↑ "1964 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  22. ↑ "1965 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  23. ↑ "Pete Beathard". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  24. ↑ "1966 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  25. ↑ "1967 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-05-25. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  26. ↑ "1968 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  27. ↑ "Jacky Lee". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  28. ↑ "1969 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  29. ↑ "Mike Livingston". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  30. ↑ "1970 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  31. ↑ "1971 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-05-24. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  32. ↑ "1972 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  33. ↑ "1973 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  34. ↑ "1974 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  35. ↑ "1975 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  36. ↑ "1976 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  37. ↑ "1977 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  38. ↑ "Tony Adams". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  39. ↑ "1978 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  40. ↑ "1979 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  41. ↑ "Steve Fuller (American football)". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  42. ↑ "1980 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  43. ↑ "Bill Kenney". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  44. ↑ "1981 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  45. ↑ "1982 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  46. ↑ "1983 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  47. ↑ "1984 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  48. ↑ "Todd Blackledge". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  49. ↑ "1985 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  50. ↑ "1986 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  51. 1 2 "1987 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  52. ↑ "Matt Stevens". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  53. ↑ "Frank Seurer". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  54. ↑ "Doug Hudson". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  55. ↑ "1988 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  56. ↑ "Steve DeBerg". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  57. ↑ "1989 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  58. ↑ "Ron Jaworski". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  59. ↑ "Steve Pelluer". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  60. ↑ "1990 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  61. ↑ "1991 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  62. ↑ "Mark Vlasic". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  63. ↑ "1992 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  64. ↑ "Dave Krieg". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  65. ↑ "1993 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  66. ↑ "Joe Montana". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  67. ↑ "1994 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  68. ↑ "Steve Bono". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  69. ↑ "1995 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  70. ↑ "1996 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  71. ↑ "Rich Gannon". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  72. ↑ "1997 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  73. ↑ "Elvis Grbac". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  74. ↑ "1998 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  75. ↑ "1999 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  76. ↑ "2000 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  77. ↑ "Warren Moon". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  78. ↑ "2001 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  79. ↑ "Trent Green". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  80. ↑ "2002 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  81. ↑ "2003 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  82. ↑ "2004 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  83. ↑ "2005 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  84. ↑ "2006 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-08-14. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  85. ↑ "Damon Huard". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  86. ↑ "2007 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  87. ↑ "Brodie Croyle". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  88. ↑ "Tyler Thigpen". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  89. ↑ "2009 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  90. ↑ "2010 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  91. ↑ "2011 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  92. ↑ "2012 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
  93. ↑ "2013 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
  94. ↑ "2014 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  95. ↑ "2015 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  96. ↑ "2016 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  97. ↑ "2017 Kansas City Chiefs season". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  98. ↑ "NFL History by Decade, 1971–1980". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 2007-04-02. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  99. ↑ "NFL History by Decade, 1981–1990". NFL.com. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  100. ↑ "Kansas City Chiefs History–1980's". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  101. ↑ "Johnson will not play for second straight week; Thigpen to start at QB". ESPN. Associated Press. 2008-10-23. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
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