The 2008 season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 39th in the National Football League (NFL), their 49th overall, and their third and final season under head coach Herm Edwards at the helm. The Chiefs failed to improve on their 4–12 record from 2007 with the youngest team in the NFL as part of their "youth movement". The season turned out to be the worst in the franchise's history at the time, by tallying 13 losses for the first time ever. The Chiefs' record tied with the St. Louis Rams where they stood 2–14.
The Chiefs' 2008 season began with a 1–10 record, with the franchise losing 19 of 20 games over a two-year period. The team lost seven games by 7 points or less, two games by 24-point margins, suffered a 34–0 shutout to the Carolina Panthers, and allowed a franchise-high 54 points against the Buffalo Bills. Following a 22–21 loss to the Chargers, a game in which Kansas City allowed two touchdowns and lost an 11-point lead in the game's final minutes, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt announced the resignation of General Manager/Vice President/CEO Carl Peterson effective at the end of the season. The Chiefs suffered instability on offense with rotation at the quarterback position and offensive gameplans, and also on defense after trading DE Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings. After trading Allen, who led the NFL in sacks in 2007, the Chiefs got 10 sacks on the season, setting a new NFL record for fewest sacks in a 16-game season.
The Chiefs reorganized their offense to focus around quarterback Brodie Croyle, but his season-ending injury in Week 7 led to a new spread offense gameplan focused around Tyler Thigpen. His passer rating climbed from 44.3 to 76.9 in the five games following his initial start at Atlanta. The Chiefs scored more than 10 points just twice in their first six games, but scored more offensive points than that in every game since, and twice topped 25 points. The Chiefs won their first game with the new offense against the Raiders in Week 13.
The season was the twelfth and final season in Kansas City for long-time Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, who was traded to the Atlanta Falcons after the season.
Offseason Beginning with the 2008 season, the team's Lamar Hunt/American Football League tribute patch which was introduced in the 2007 season became a permanent part of the Chiefs' uniform.Lamar Hunt patch becomes a permanent part of the Chiefs' uniform KCChiefs.com, January 28, 2008.
Coaching and roster changes
Following the Chiefs loss to the New York Jets in the 2007 season finale, general manager Carl Peterson announced that both he and head coach Herman Edwards would return to the Chiefs in 2008. However, team chairman Clark Hunt—who took over leadership of the Chiefs in late 2006 after the death of his father, team founder Lamar Hunt—declined to immediately comment on Peterson's status. Hunt spoke out weeks later and stated that the Chiefs were his "No. 1 priority" and that "to have the best chance of success in 2008, having Carl here makes a lot of sense." Hunt wanted to avoid having a new general manager come in with a new head coach, and starting from scratch again. Edwards and Peterson were considered to be on the hot seat by the press, but inside the team, both were considered to be safe unless absolutely zero progress was made in 2008. Clark Hunt had expressed his expectations of a winning Chiefs team earning a playoff berth in 2008.
On January 1, the Chiefs fired offensive coordinator Mike Solari after two unproductive seasons.Associated Press. Chiefs fire four offensive assistant coaches ESPN.com, January 2, 2008. Offensive line coach John Matsko, receivers coach Charlie Joiner and running backs coach James Saxon were fired as well after a season in which the Chiefs were among the worst offensive teams in the NFL. Tight ends coach Jon Embree and assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Dick Curl were the only offensive assistants who were retained.
For offensive coordinator, the Chiefs interviewed Chan Gailey, Paul Hackett, Eric Price, Mike Shula, and Jim Fassel. Both Shula and Gailey were interviewed twice.Associated Press. Former Cowboys head coach hopes to revive Chiefs' sputtering offense ESPN.com, January 16, 2008. Gailey was hired on January 16. Price was later added as the team's wide receivers coach.Kansas City names Eric Price wide receivers coach KCChiefs.com, January 24, 2008.
In addition to Gailey, the Chiefs added Bob Bicknell as their offensive line coach, and Joe D'Alessandris assistant offensive line coach.Edwards promotes Bicknell, names D'Alessandris to offensive staff KCChiefs.com, January 23, 2008. Curtis Modkins, from Gailey's staff at Georgia Tech, was added as the team's running backs coach.Kansas City names Curtis Modkins running backs coach KCChiefs.com, January 23, 2008.
By releasing several veteran players, the Chiefs began their youth movement. Overall, the 2008 Chiefs were the NFL's youngest at an average of 25.9 years of age. They had the youngest starting lineup at 25.5.
Free agency The Chiefs had 9 unrestricted free agents heading into the 2008 off-season.2008 Kansas City Chiefs free agents Accessed January 1, 2008.
Position Player Tag Date signed 2008 team Contract(with KC) DE Jared Allen FranchiseAssociated Press. Chiefs franchise sack king Allen Sports Illustrated, February 19, 2008. February 19 (franchised)April 22 (traded) Minnesota Vikings One yearClayton, John. Chiefs to put franchise tag on Allen, who wants to stay ESPN.com, February 18, 2008. K John Carney UFA Not tendered a contract P Dustin Colquitt RFA February 28 Kansas City Chiefs Five yearsChiefs agree to terms of five-year contract with P Dustin Colquitt KCChiefs.com, February 28, 2008. KR Eddie Drummond UFA Not tendered a contract LB Keyaron Fox UFA March 12 Pittsburgh Steelers FB Boomer Grigsby RFA March 4 Miami Dolphins C Rudy Niswanger ERFA N/A Kansas City Chiefs N/A WR Samie Parker UFA April 14 Carolina Panthers LB Mickey Pimentel ERFA N/A Kansas City Chiefs N/A CB Benny Sapp UFA March 25 Minnesota Vikings OT Will Svitek RFA N/A Kansas City Chiefs N/A OT Kyle Turley UFA RetiredAssociated Press. Chiefs release Welbourn as offseason remodeling starts ESPN.com, February 15, 2008. C Casey Wiegmann UFA March 21 Denver Broncos DE Jimmy Wilkerson UFA March 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers FB Kris Wilson UFA March 26 Philadelphia Eagles RFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent
Additions In February, Kansas City claimed OT Anthony Alabi off waivers from the Miami Dolphins.Kansas City claims T Anthony Alabi off waivers KCChiefs.com, February 13, 2008. Kansas City also agreed to two-year contracts with K Nick Novak, S Erick Harris, DT T.J. Jackson, CB Chad Johnson, OT Joe Lobdell, and G Rob Smith.Associated Press. Chiefs ink kicker Cundiff to two-year deal ESPN.com, February 18, 2008.
In March, Kansas City claimed FB Oliver Hoyte off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys.Kansas City claims FB Oliver Hoyte off waivers KCChiefs.com, March 3, 2008. The team also signed free agent LB Demorrio Williams, KCChiefs.com, March 3, 2008. and WR Devard Darling.Chiefs agree to terms with WR Devard Darling KCChiefs.com, March 11, 2008.
In April, Kansas City signed KR B.J. Sams, TE John Paul FoschiKansas City agrees to terms with FB John Paul Foschi KCChiefs.com, April 16, 2008. and C Wade Smith.
In May, the Chiefs signed a total of 23 undrafted free agents.Chiefs agree to terms with 17 rookie free agents KCChiefs.com, May 2, 2008. Chiefs agree to terms with six rookie free agents KCChiefs.com, May 20, 2008. and cornerbacks Will Poole and Jason Horton.Kansas City agrees to terms with two free agent cornerbacks KCChiefs.com, May 27, 2008.
In August, the Chiefs signed K Jay Feely but released him the following day.
In September, the Chiefs signed QB Ingle Martin following an injury to Brodie Croyle.
In October, the Chiefs re-signed K Connor Barth, who was released at the beginning of the season at the 53-man roster deadline. Kansas City also signed QB Quinn Gray following a season-ending injury to starting QB Brodie Croyle.Chiefs agree to terms with QB Quinn Gray Kansas City Chiefs official website, October 22, 2008. A slew of injuries to the Chiefs' starting lineup in October and November made the team sign several players in order to fill holes.
Departures In February, the Chiefs released WR Eddie Kennison,Associated Press. Chiefs cut loose former top starting wideout Kennison ESPN.com, February 26, 2008. OT John Welbourn, RB Gilbert Harris, DE Khreem Smith, CB Ty Law,Associated Press. Report: Chiefs to release Bell, Dunn, Law, Reed ESPN.com, February 27, 2008. LB Kendrell Bell, TE Jason Dunn, DT James Reed, and OT Chris Bober.Chiefs resign Colquitt, but Law likely to be cut ESPN.com, February 29, 2008. After attempting to trade him for the second consecutive year, the Chiefs released FS Greg Wesley in July.Williamson, Bill. Wesley agrees to one-year, $730K contract with Raiders ESPN.com, July 22, 2008. In October, Kansas City released LB Napoleon Harris,Injury-depleted Vikings agree to deal with Harris, agent confirms 16 October 2008. and K Nick Novak.
Failed signings The Chiefs were as aggressive as NFL rules allowed them to be in pursuing of C Jeff Faine and K Josh Brown, both of whom signed with teams on the first day of free agency.Bucs, Rams anger Edwards Kansas City Star, March 25, 2008. NFL rules prohibit teams from contacting prospective free agents or their agents until free agency begins. In 2008, that time was 11 p.m. on February 28. "There were probably some deals done before (the start of the league year)", Edwards said when asked why the Chiefs didn't get in the game with either player. "We didn't cheat. We abided by the rules. That's how you're supposed to do it, and that's what we did."
Entering the season, the Chiefs were unsure if injury-prone Brodie Croyle could be their quarterback of the future. Following the season-ending injury to QB Croyle, the Chiefs contacted recently retired QB Daunte Culpepper and free agent QB Bruce Gradkowski. Culpepper acted as his own agent and asked for "preposterous" contract terms, which caused many teams to cancel talks, including Kansas City. Culpepper agreed to meet with the Chiefs on October 28 for a physical and face-to-face negotiations but canceled the meeting in favor of other opportunities with the NFL.
Jared Allen trade
In February, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on DE Jared Allen to prevent him from hitting the free agent market before the teams agree on a long-term deal. In April, reports surfaced detailing a proposed trade between Kansas City and the Minnesota Vikings which would send Allen to Minnesota in exchange for additional selections in the 2008 NFL draft.Associated Press. Chiefs keeping options open with Pro Bowl end Allen ESPN.com, April 18, 2008. Other teams that had contacted Allen's agent include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.Glazer, Jay. Chiefs' Allen talking with Vikings, Bucs Fox Sports, April 17, 2008. The Philadelphia Eagles also proposed a trade with Kansas City.Smith, Michael David. Could Eagles trade for Chiefs' Jared Allen? AOL Sports, April 22, 2008. Allen was not tagged as an exclusive rights franchise player and had the right to visit and negotiate with other teams.Chiefs statement on the status of DE Jared Allen KCChiefs.com, April 17, 2008.
Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson's relationship with Allen had been strained ever since Peterson, in the wake of Allen's DUI convictions, described him as "a young man at risk." Allen, who could be suspended for a season if he has another alcohol-related episode, had said he would not negotiate with Kansas City if he did not get a contract done by July 2009. Allen had previously voiced his wish to stay with the Chiefs.