disKCovery

BUT FIRST, A NOTE: This is the second installment of a multi-part, multi-author series celebrating the best of Kansas City professional sports in the 2000s. While it’s not necessary to read the first installment before you enjoy this one, Y2KC: The 1st Quarter which names the Kansas City Royals’ All-Quarter Century Team, can be found HERE. Also, names below in red letters denote Pro Football Hall of Famers.

The 2nd Quarter: Kingdom Come

Published September 3, 2025 at 00:13

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Celebrity Guest Host Is… Bill Robbins!

Hi! My name is Bill Robbins and I am lifelong Kansas Citian (Well, Kansas City area native. Area-an? Metroan?). I have loved sports ever since I started playing them when I was a kid. I am a diehard fan of anything Chiefs, Royals, or University of Central Missouri (UCM) athletics. I am also a fanatic for KC barbeque and enjoy crossing off new places every chance I get. It’s no surprise that my Fountain City Fantasy Meal would be devouring a plate of burnt ends and wings from Jack Stack while talking baseball with Royals legend Paul “Splitt” Splittorff at Kauffman Stadium.

I have a passion for writing as well, which also began in my youth. In the past, I have written for Bleacher Report and Arrowhead Addict which allowed me to combine my love of writing with my undying devotion to the Kansas City “CHIEEFFFSSSS!”

The Kansas City Chiefs are a storied franchise that has seen many great players and coaches alike come and go over the years. From Len Dawson and Otis Taylor to Derrick Thomas and Joe Montana; from Tony Gonzalez to Jamaal Charles to Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and so many others in-between, there has been so much talent here in KC.

In June, ESPN released their NFL All Quarter Century Team. While eight Kansas City Chiefs did make that roster, it got me thinking about what an All-Chiefs version would look like. Who would make a team of the best Chiefs players and coaches since 2000? Who would start? The amount of talent to choose from made this task challenging, but also a lot of fun to put together. Enjoy!

My Rules

“Keep Matriculating the Ball Down the Field.”
I built a 53-man roster that’s ready to compete with anyone. That means every guy plays where they played and the roster make-up reflects an actual NFL one.

“You Gotta Fight For Your Right!”
Each guy fought their way on to this team. With a team covering 25 seasons, that means a few jersey numbers might be repeated on the final roster.

“… and the Home of the CHIEEFFFSSSS!”
Some of these guys did great things outside of Kansas City, but I chose my team based on what they did in a Chiefs’ uniform during the 2000s, and every stat provided reflects their time in KC.

“Run it Back!”
Each player had to play a minimum of two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs between the 2000 and 2024 NFL regular seasons to be eligible for this team.

That’s it. That’s the rules.

The Backfield

What else can be said about Patrick Mahomes at this point? The Whitehouse, Texas product has transformed the Chiefs from a franchise that couldn’t win more than one playoff game in a 50 year span to a dynasty that has appeared in five of the last six Super Bowls, and won three of them. Whether it’s been through his unpredictable passes, mad scrambles, or deep bombs to countless Chiefs’ wideouts, Mahomes has become a signal caller that many others try to be. He has not only transcended the current landscape of the NFL, but past and future generations as well. He is already a lock for Canton, but the question on many people’s minds is, “How many Super Bowl rings will he end up with?” Although we can’t know the answer to that question yet, the sky is the limit for #15.

Both a football star and track star at the University of Texas, Jamaal Charles was one of the most exciting offensive weapons to ever don a Chiefs uniform. He was also one of the most versatile backs in the Kingdom. He was a threat on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield. His breakaway speed left many NFL defenders in the dust during his time in KC. He is still first all-time in career rushing yards for the Chiefs with 7,260. Numerous injuries will likely keep him out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but Charles’ career average of 5.5 yards per carry is still the best in league history for backs with a minimum of 500 rushing attempts.

A very underrated Chiefs player from the early 2000s, I don’t feel like Tony Richardson got talked about enough while he was in Kansas City. Maybe it’s because he got lost in the shuffle of some great offenses during his final years with the team. Richardson was very good at what he did and was a big reason why those offenses were so successful. Although the fullback position has been largely phased out in today’s NFL, TRich will forever be remembered as one of the best Chiefs to ever play the position.

The Backups

In a real-life role reversal, I have Alex Smith (2013 - 2017) backing up Mahomes. The former first overall draft pick came to Kansas City via trade in 2013 to join forces with the newly-hired Coach Andy Reid. He ended the team’s playoff drought and go the franchise back to playing winning football. The third string spot goes to Trent Green (2001 - 2006). While Green could never get it done in the postseason, he was the starting QB for some of the best offensive attacks that The Kingdom has ever seen, and left his mark on the Chiefs.

Behind Charles, I have Priest Holmes (2001 - 2007) and Larry Johnson (2003 - 2009). Putting Holmes in a backup spot was tough, as he easily could have been swapped with Jamaal Charles for the starting role. Holmes’ rise from undrafted rookie to league star is a remarkable story. His three-year stretch from 2001 - 2003, where he averaged a staggering 2,189 scrimmage yards, is easily the best stretch for a running back in Chiefs’ history, and also one of the best in NFL history too.

The Trenches

Willie “Nasty” Roaf might have only fortified the left edge of the Chiefs’ line for four seasons, but he made a huge impact in a short time. Widely considered one of the best to ever play the position, the Pine Bluff, Arkansas product made the Pro Bowl all four seasons he was in KC. Today, he is fondly remembered by Chiefs fans for his punishing blocks and dominant play at the left tackle spot.

Picked up by the Chiefs in 2000 as an undrafted rookie free agent from UNT, Brian Waters soon became a mainstay of the interior Chiefs offensive line. Waters teamed up with Casey Wiegmann, Willie Roaf, and John Tait to form one of the best offensive lines in NFL history.

Creed Humphrey has been the keystone of the Chiefs line ever since he won the starting center job as a rookie in 2021. He’s considered by many to be the best center currently in the NFL. During the 2024 season, Humphrey did not allow a single sack! He is well on his way to being the best player at the position in franchise history, and certainly has a chance to become of the best centers in the history of the NFL.

The best ability is availability. Will Shields was the most durable offensive lineman in team history. For 14 seasons, he played at a high level and never missed a game. The NFL Hall of Famer, like many of his former teammates, was known for the strong blocks he delivered each and every snap. One of the best came against Denver Broncos linebacker Ian Gold during the Thanksgiving 2006 contest. Shield knocked the Pro Bowl linebacker off his feet to the awe of the Arrowhead faithful.

Mitchell Schwartz began his career with the Cleveland Browns prior to signing the Chiefs for the 2016 season. Similar to Shields, Schwartz is known for his durability. In four of his five seasons with the Chiefs, Schwartz played in every game. He also made

Schwartz began his career with the Cleveland Browns before eventually signing with the Chiefs before the 2016 season. Also known for his durability, Mitch played in every game in 4 of his 5 seasons in KC. He was named an All-Pro four times in Kansas City, and helped anchor the offensive line that won Super Bowl LIV in Miami.

The Backups

Behind Roaf and Schwartz, I have Eric Fisher (2013 - 2020) and John Tait (1999 - 2003). Like Alex Smith, Eric Fisher was also a number one overall NFL draft pick. During his eight seasons in KC, he was selected to two Pro Bowls. John Tait is sort of the forgotten starter of the Chiefs offensive line in the early 2000s. He was never elite enough to garner any league-wide recognition, but he was as sold and steady as they come for a starting NFL right tackle.

My backup guards are Joe Thuney (2021 - 2024) and Trey Smith (2021 - Present). The recently traded Thuney anchored the offensive line for the past four seasons and was named First Team All-Pro in two of them. Smith, taken in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, was a major steal. Only 26 years old, the recently extended Smith has the ability to be a cornerstone guard for years to come.

Before Creed Humphrey came around, Casey Wiegmann (2001 - 2007, 2010 - 2011) was the best center in Chiefs’ history. One of several Parkersburg (IA) High School alums that have played in the NFL, Wiegmann spent nine seasons with the Chiefs during two different stings. His run blocking efforts helped spur some of the best rushing offenses in team history.

The amount of talent to wear a Chiefs uniform this century made putting together this roster a fun challenge. PHOTO CREDIT - *disKCovery*

The Corps

Tyreek Hill is arguably the fastest player in Chiefs history. He was a return specialist that quickly became an elite NFL wide receiver, and one of the best in team history. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy, by way of Division II West Alabama, quickly developed a connection with Patrick Mahomes. His 2018 season was one of the best statistical seasons for a wide-out in the history of the franchise. Regardless of how he left town, he will be remembered forever for his big play ability; most memorably, his Jet Chip Wasp catch against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

Selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Dwayne Bowe checks in as Wide Receiver #2 on my 53-man roster. Although some of his time in Kansas City was marred by controvery, he still managed to provide plenty of highlight-reel type plays and three seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving. D-Bowe made enough of an impact on Chiefs Kingdom that he decided to sign a one-day contract to retire with the Chiefs in 2019.

I understand that putting Tony Gonzalez here over Travis Kelce might turn a few heads. That being said, I view Tony G and Travis as 1A and 1B in terms of their all-time rank among Chiefs tight ends. Gonzalez edges out Kelce due to his combination of receiving and blocking ability. Gonzalez’s numbers are even more impressive when you consider how consistent he was for so many years, regardless of who was taking the snaps. The Gonazlez vs. Kelce debate is not ending any time soon, among Chiefs fans or NFL ones, but Tony was the face of this franchise in the 2000s and will forever be loved by KC fans.

The Backups

With Gonzalez as the starter, obviously Travis Kelce (2013 - Present) gets the second string tight end spot. As I said, putting #87 on the bench was a difficult decision. Kelce’s accomplishments speak for themselves. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history and will certainly be enshrined in Canton someday. Behind Kelce, my third tight end is Tony Moeaki (2010 - 2012). While injuries derailed his career, the former Iowa Hawkeye turned in one of the best rookie seasons we’ve ever seen from a Chiefs tight end in 2010. That season, he caught 47 passes for 556 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Rounding out the receiving corps are Eddie Kennison (2001 - 2007), Derrick Alexander (1998 - 2001), Rashee Rice (2023 - Present), and Sammy Watkins (2018 - 2020).

Somewhat of a journeyman when he arrived in KC in 2001, Kennison ended up sticking around for seven seasons, and eclipsed the coveted 1,000 yard receiving mark in two of them. Alexander is another early 2000s receiver that is mostly remembered for his big play ability. In 2000, he recorded 1,391 receiving yards and 10 touchdown grabs.

Rice burst onto the NFL scene in 2023 with a superb rookie campaign that saw him collect over 900 receiving yards on the way to a Chiefs’ Super Bowl win. It’s early and there’s so much potential that he could realistically be a starter on a future version of this same roster.

Watkins only spent three seasons in Kansas City, but the former Clemson standout made big catch after big catch for the Chiefs. He will always be remembered for his 14 receptions in the 2019 NFL Playoffs.

The Coaches

HC | Andy Reid (2013 - Present)
Alma Mater: BYU | Best Season: 2023
Chiefs Record: 143 - 53 | Playoff Wins: 19 | Chiefs Ring of Honor: Someday

Andy Reid is arguably one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of the league. The Hunt Family knew they were getting a great coach when they made the franchise-altering decision to hire him back in 2013, but what they could never have predicted is how successful he would be. With nine consecutive AFC West titles, five AFC conference titles, five Super Bowl appearances, and three Super Bowl wins, Reid’s resume speaks for itself. He has accomplished this in his own way, through hard work and humility. He is already the best Head Coach in team history, and will go down as one of the best in NFL history when it’s all said and done. But as for right now, the time’s yours Andy!

OC | Eric Bieniemy
Alma Mater: Colorado | Best Season: 2018 | Chiefs Ring of Honor: No

A former NFL running back himself, Eric Bieniemy oversaw one of the NFL’s premier offenses between 2018 and 2022, and some of the best in team history, during his time as Offensive Coordinator. Known for his grit and toughness as a coach, EB was able to get the best out of his players during his time with the red and gold.

The final roster for *disKCovery’s* All-2000s Chiefs Offense. IMAGE CREDIT - *disKCovery*

That’s my quarter century Kansas City Chiefs offense.

Take it, or leave it.

I don’t mean to sound defensive yet, because I’ll be tackling that in Y2KC: The 3rd Quarter. Stay tuned!

What did our Guest Host get right? Which Chiefs’ players did he miss? Leave it in the comments!
(And y’all come back now! Bill Robbins will be back in a few weeks with the remainder of the Chiefs’ All-2000s Team!)

Y2KC (2 / 4)

The 2nd Quarter: Kingdom Come

My Rules

The Backfield

The Backups

The Trenches

The Backups

The Corps

The Backups

The Coaches

Y2KC (1 / 4)