When Alex Smith took his first snap with the Chiefs inhe became the. 3 / 8. Alex Smith. When Alex Smith took his first snap with the Chiefs inhe. Other famous Chiefs quarterbacks include a cluster of former 49ers QBs like Joe Montana, Alex Smith, and Steve DeBerg. Ranking the Top chiefs quarterback before alex smith Steve DeBerg: DeBerg was the 49ers starting quarterback before Montana took the reign. After stops in Denver and Tampa Bay, he played four. Who was the chiefs qb before Alex Smith? ; Alex Smith · · KC. 15 ; Alex Smith · · KC.
Despite not having any significant individual accolades, his contributions to the team's early success laid the groundwork for future generations of talented Chiefs quarterbacks. Beathard's place in the annals of Chiefs history should not go unrecognized.
Tasked with providing valuable depth at the quarterback position, Chad Henne's role with the Kansas City Chiefs has been crucial in supporting the team's overall success. Signed as a free agent, Henne's experience and veteran presence have proven invaluable, particularly during the playoffs when he stepped in for an injured Patrick Mahomes.
His ability to execute high-pressure plays in critical moments showcased his undeniable talent and commitment to the team. Though his individual accolades may be limited, Henne's impact on the Chiefs' continued success is undeniable. Combining a strong arm with a keen football sense, Steve Bono's tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs provided stability at the quarterback position.
Acquired in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers, Bono quickly established himself as a capable starter, leading the team to multiple playoff appearances. His intelligent play and poise under pressure kept the Chiefs competitive during his time under center. Though a championship remained elusive, Bono's commitment to the Chiefs' winning culture left a lasting impact on the organization.
Although primarily serving as a backup during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Chase Daniel's presence on the roster provided valuable depth and dependability. Signed as a free agent after stints with the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles, Daniel's experience and willingness to mentor younger players made him a trusted figure in the locker room.
His limited action on the field showcased his ability to step in when called upon, performing admirably in relief of the starting quarterback. Daniel's impact on the team extended beyond the field, as his leadership and professionalism bolstered the Chiefs' success during his tenure. Primarily remembered for his time with the Cleveland Browns, Brady Quinn's brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs showcased his never-quit attitude and love for the game.
Signed as a free agent, Quinn brought experience and depth to the position, filling in at times when called upon. While his on-field performance left much to be desired, Quinn's commitment to the team and unwavering desire to compete earned the respect of his peers. Though his tenure in Kansas City was short-lived, Quinn's impact on the team extended beyond his performance on the field.
Arriving in Kansas City with high expectations, Matt Cassel's tenure with the Chiefs produced moments of both triumph and disappointment. Acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots, Cassel's strong arm and leadership skills helped guide the team to a division title and playoff appearance during his first season as a Chief. However, his time in Kansas City was marred by inconsistency and nagging injuries, which prevented him from achieving sustained success.
Despite a rollercoaster tenure, Cassel's contributions to the Chiefs' early s success should not be forgotten. Possessing a strong arm and intelligent football mind, Blackledge's tenure with the Chiefs proved frustrating as his on-field performance never quite matched his talent. Chiefs quarterback before alex smith Despite flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency and inability to secure the starting role ultimately defined his time in Kansas City.
Though Blackledge never reached his full potential, his place in Chiefs history remains noteworthy. One of the earliest quarterbacks drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, Randy Duncan's time with the team provided glimpses of his raw talent. Selected in the first round of the AFL allocation draft, Duncan showcased strong mechanics and an impressive arm during his brief tenure.
Although he never experienced significant success or earned any major accolades, Duncan's contributions to the early years of the franchise should not be overlooked. His place in the Chiefs' formative history deserves recognition. Though his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs was brief, Steve Pelluer provided the team with a valuable veteran presence during a transitional period.
Signed as a free agent after several seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks, Pelluer brought experience and leadership to a young Chiefs squad. Despite limited action on the field, his presence in the locker room played a role in shaping the team's culture and future.
Pelluer's contributions to the Chiefs may not have been flashy, but his impact on the franchise deserves recognition. With a brief stint on the Kansas City Chiefs roster, Hunter Enis demonstrated raw talent and potential that caught the attention of coaches and teammates. Acquired as a free agent, Enis's athleticism and strong work ethic earned him a spot on the practice squad.
Although his time with the Chiefs was fleeting, and he never saw regular-season action, Enis's dedication to the team and commitment to improving his craft remain admirable. Although not remembered as one of the Chiefs' star quarterbacks, Enis played a small role in the team's rich history.
As a member of the original Kansas City Chiefs roster, Eddie Wilson played a small but crucial role in establishing the identity of the fledgling franchise. Acquired in the AFL allocation draft, Wilson served as a backup quarterback and studied behind the team's formidable starter, Len Dawson.
Although he saw limited action on the field, Wilson's dedication to the team and commitment to his craft earned him a place in the annals of Chiefs history. His contributions to the early days of the franchise serve as a reminder of the foundation upon which the team was built. Providing the Kansas City Chiefs with a steady presence under center, Steve Fuller's tenure with the team showcased his unwavering dedication to the game.
Drafted in the first round, Fuller displayed a strong arm and solid mechanics, guiding the Chiefs through a transitional period. Though he never achieved significant success or captured a championship, Fuller's consistent effort and commitment to the Chiefs' winning culture during his time under center left an enduring impact on the organization.
His place in Chiefs history is not as prominent as some, but still deserving of recognition. Running Backs. Wide Receivers. Tight Ends. Most divisive: Bill Kenney. Over 2. Patrick Mahomes II. More Patrick Mahomes II. Len Dawson. More Len Dawson. Joe Montana. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: No stranger to the spotlight, Joe Montana's arrival in Kansas City via a blockbuster trade from the San Francisco 49ers instantly commanded attention.
More Joe Montana. Alex Smith. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Often dubbed the consummate professional, Alex Smith's tenure as the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback was characterized by a relentless drive for perfection. Trent Green. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Showcasing a fiery competitive spirit and an uncanny ability to read defenses, Trent Green emerged as one of the most reliable quarterbacks in Kansas City Chiefs history.
Steve DeBerg. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Blending intelligence, vision, and ingenuity, Steve DeBerg's stint as quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs was marked by his unwavering ability to make plays when it mattered most. More Steve DeBerg. Rich Gannon. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Despite achieving greater individual success with the Oakland Raiders, Rich Gannon's time with the Kansas City Chiefs provided glimpses of the elite quarterback he would eventually become.
More Rich Gannon. Dave Krieg. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Known for his resilience and tenacity under center, Dave Krieg's two-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs showcased his undeterred spirit and passion for the game. More Dave Krieg. Bill Kenney. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: As one of the most underrated quarterbacks in Kansas City Chiefs history, Bill Kenney embodied the spirit of perseverance and determination.
Warren Moon. Lille vs monaco prediction Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Though his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs was brief, Hall of Famer Warren Moon displayed the same uncanny talent and competitive fire that defined his illustrious career. More Warren Moon. Ron Jaworski. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Though his time with the Kansas City Chiefs was brief, Ron Jaworski's presence brought a unique blend of veteran savvy and unshakable confidence.
Jacky Lee. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: A steady veteran presence on an expansion team, Jacky Lee's time with the Kansas City Chiefs provided glimpses of his undeniable talent. Cotton Davidson. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: As one of the original members of the Kansas City Chiefs, Cotton Davidson played an integral role in shaping the franchise's early years.
Mike Livingston. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: A steady presence under center, Mike Livingston's tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs was defined by his unwavering commitment to the team and city. Elvis Grbac. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: As a polarizing figure under center, Elvis Grbac's time with the Kansas City Chiefs was marked by moments of greatness mixed with bouts of inconsistency.
More Elvis Grbac. Matt Moore. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Signed as a free agent to provide depth at the quarterback position, Matt Moore unexpectedly found himself thrust into the spotlight during the season. More Matt Moore. Tyler Thigpen. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Providing the Kansas City Chiefs with a unique blend of athleticism and resilience, Tyler Thigpen's time under center showcased his potential as a dynamic playmaker.
Nick Foles. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Few quarterbacks could earn a fan-favorite status in such a short time as Nick Foles did during his one season with the Kansas City Chiefs. More Nick Foles. Pete Beathard. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: One of the earliest signal-callers in franchise history, Pete Beathard played a crucial role in the Kansas City Chiefs' formative years.
Chad Henne. Kansas City Chiefs Seasons: Tasked with providing valuable depth at the quarterback position, Chad Henne's role with the Kansas City Chiefs has been crucial in supporting the team's overall success. Chiefs quarterback before alex smith More Chad Henne. This was later picked up from Chiefs fan page Chiefsplanet by Jason Whitlock who printed the moniker in the Kansas City Star and took the nickname to fame.
In the past few decades, the Chiefs have relied on veteran quarterbacks to lead their team. When head coach Herman Edwards was hired in , he stated that he was looking towards implementing a "youth movement" into his game plan, and he began his roster moves at the quarterback position. After a poor first career start for Thigpen against Atlanta, a game in which he threw three interceptions, the Chiefs implemented the spread offense.
The switch to the spread offense paid off for Thigpen and his abilities. Thigpen won his first game as the Chiefs' starter on November 30 against the Oakland Raiders, leading Kansas City to a 20—13 victory. Six of the losses were within 7-point or less margins. He registered 21 total touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 2, all-purpose yards. Matt Cassel did not have immediate success as the starter for Kansas City, as he led the team to a 4—12 season in , throwing for 2, yards and 16 touchdowns, while also throwing 16 interceptions.
He started four games for Chiefs, and led them to a 1—3 record before being benched in a 37—10 loss to the Jets in Week Kyle Orton , the former Denver Broncos quarterback, was chosen to start the Week 15 game against the formerly unbeaten Green Bay Packers, and led them to an improbable upset.
The next game, Orton led the Chiefs to a close loss in overtime against the Oakland Raiders, ending their hopes of a playoff bid. They finished the season at 7—9, with nine games started by Cassel, four by Palko, and three by Orton. The team tied with the Arizona Cardinals for most interceptions 20 with Cassel throwing 12 and Quinn throwing 8.
Subsequently, head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli were both fired, and the Chiefs brought in former Eagles head coach Andy Reid and John Dorsey to be head coach and general manager. In , a trade made by Dorsey brought in former No. Around the same time, the Chiefs also released Matt Cassel.
Alex Smith also recorded 3, yards, twenty-three touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. However, the Chiefs were stunned as they lost in the Wildcard Round to the fourth seeded Indianapolis Colts after leading by early in the 3rd quarter. In , Alex Smith started his fourth straight season as Chiefs quarterback.
He was injured in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, however he only missed one game and backup quarterback Nick Foles led them to a 19—14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars the following week. In , the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes [65] with the 10th selection in the draft. Mahomes spent almost all of that season as the backup to Smith, and on December 31, , with the Chiefs' playoff seeding already secured and most of the starters resting until the following week's Wild Card Round matchup with the Tennessee Titans , Mahomes made his NFL debut as the starting QB, leading the Chiefs to a 27—24 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Mahomes quickly showed off his talents on the field, setting an NFL record with 10 TD passes in his first 3 games [66] and throwing for yards in 8 of the first 9 games of the season. Mahomes ultimately finished the season with 5, passing yards and 50 touchdowns, becoming the youngest player since Dan Marino in to throw for that many yards, and the second player in NFL history, along with Peyton Manning , to throw for 5, passing yards and 50 touchdowns in the same season.
Notable backup quarterbacks have also led the Chiefs to success after substituting for their starting quarterback, including Mike Livingston , [69] Rich Gannon , [70] and Damon Huard. Warren Moon was on the Chiefs' roster for the and seasons under Elvis Grbac and started one game in Grbac's absence. A quarterback controversy began in the season when Elvis Grbac started the first nine games and suffered an injury, leading to Rich Gannon 's substitution for the next six games.
After joining the Raiders, Gannon knocked the Chiefs out of playoff contention in the season when the Raiders defeated the Chiefs by a score of 41—38 in overtime. Grbac only lasted one season in Baltimore and retired in the offseason. Trent Green had proven himself incredibly durable in his tenure with the Chiefs, and had started every game for the Chiefs since they acquired him in a trade.
When Green returned, the opinions of Chiefs fans were divided. You have to win the game There's no tomorrow. And you have to do whatever is best for the football team at that point. I'll do whatever I have to do. When you're in the playoffs, you're desperate. The Chiefs' offense stumbled in the 23—8 loss, [84] and Green threw for yards on of passing with two interceptions.
In late January, Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson told Green that he would have to restructure his contract to remain with the team and to brace for a lesser role on offense. Green voiced his frustration, [90] [91] and criticism was drawn to the Chiefs' apparent neglect to trade Green. Green stated that he was being treated unfairly on and off the field and that the quarterback competition was "substantially weighted" towards Brodie Croyle , who was drafted in On August 25, Huard was named the Chiefs' starting quarterback for the season opener against the Houston Texans.
Croyle started six of the last seven games for the Chiefs, losing all six. In , Croyle started the Chiefs' opening game against the New England Patriots , but suffered a shoulder injury. Croyle suffered a season-ending knee injury in the game, and when Huard substituted, he suffered a thumb injury leading to Thigpen finishing the game at quarterback.
Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. For a complete list of starting quarterbacks by season, see List of Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterbacks. General Althaus, Bill Kansas City Chiefs official website. Archived from the original on September 30, Retrieved Pro Football Reference.
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