The 2009 season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 40th in the National Football League (NFL), their 50th overall, and their first under head coach Todd Haley and general manager Scott Pioli. The Chiefs attempted to improve on their 2–14 record from 2008 with the third overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft. In 2009, the Chiefs also honored the induction of Derrick Thomas, the team's former linebacker from 1989 to 1999, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thomas' jersey number 58 was officially retired by the franchise after having been unissued since Thomas' death in 2000.
The fate of head coach Herman Edwards and his staff remained uncertain after the end of the 2008 season in which the Chiefs finished with a franchise worst 2–14 record. The team was 6–26 in the past two years under Edwards, who had one year left on a four-year, $12 million contract and was lobbying to be allowed another year to get his rebuilding movement off the ground. Team owner Clark Hunt voiced his support of Edwards, but he had also said the new general manager Scott Pioli would have "significant input" into the decision on whether to retain him. On January 23, the Chiefs fired Edwards, and on February 5, Todd Haley was hired as the 11th head coach in Chiefs franchise history and signed a four-year contract.
For the 2009 season under the Pioli/Haley regime, the Chiefs switched from a 4–3 defense to a 3–4 defensive strategy.
Although finishing the regular season last in the AFC West with a record of 4–12, the Chiefs doubled their win record from the previous season. The Chiefs did not have a single player named to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1978 and only the 3rd time in franchise history.
Offseason AFL anniversary season In select games, the Chiefs, as well as the other founding teams of the American Football League, will wear "throwback" uniforms to celebrate the AFL's 50th anniversary and the 1962 Dallas Texans team that won the AFL Championship. The Chiefs "throwback" look will feature helmets with gray facemasks and a Texas-shaped decal with a gold star showing the location of the city of Dallas, Texas. From 1960 to 1962, the team was known as the Dallas Texans and played at the Cotton Bowl alongside the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Jerseys for the club's "throwback" games will include a patch that honors the AFL's 50th anniversary. Kansas City will wear these replica uniforms when they host the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium and against two AFC West opponents yet to be determined (one home date and one away date).
The team's decision to wear the Texans' helmets started a controversy with some Chiefs fans who believed the team needed to honor the franchise's years in Kansas City, not Dallas. A petition by Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City states that "the Chiefs have a responsibility to help promote the state and region that have supported them financially through stadium taxes, ticket sales, parking fees, concessions and merchandise sales for 47 years."
General manager search
Following the resignation of Carl Peterson, the Chiefs' general manager, chief executive officer, and team president, a search for the team's new general manager began. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said he intended to split the three jobs that Peterson held for nearly 20 years, looking for "a shrewd evaluator of football talent" at the general manager's position. Possible candidates included former Chiefs head coach Marty Schottenheimer, Indianapolis Colts vice president of football operations Chris Polian, Tampa Bay Buccaneers director of pro personnel Mark Dominik, former Denver Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist, former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese, San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye III, Baltimore Ravens director of college scouting Eric DeCosta, and New England Patriots vice president of football operations Scott Pioli. Hunt said he would hire a new person to overlook football operations and a second person to be in charge of the team's business operations. That job, team president, was given to longtime team executive vice president Denny Thum.
Pioli reportedly sought "total control" of an organization and was also pursued by the Cleveland Browns to be their new general manager. Pioli's supposed intentions of "total control" could have possibly eliminated him from the Chiefs' job. Hunt had kept his search almost entirely leak-proof, instructing subordinates that only he is to speak to the situation. Hunt also intended to be thorough and patient in his search for the Chiefs' new general manager. Pioli was reportedly the Chiefs' number one candidate and on January 13 the Chiefs hired Pioli as general manager. The official statement from the Chiefs said that Pioli would "have final say over all football operations and report directly to (Clark) Hunt." The Chiefs introduced Pioli the following day at team headquarters in Kansas City.
Coaching changes Hiring Todd Haley The decision to hire Scott Pioli as general manager likely meant that head coach Herman Edwards would not return for a fourth season as Chiefs head coach. The Kansas City Star reported that according to two coaches, Edwards and his staff could have been dismissed as soon as Wednesday, January 14, the day when Pioli was introduced in Kansas City. At his press conference, Pioli did not rule out Edwards being retained as the team's head coach. Hunt said publicly that he wanted Edwards to return in 2009, but Pioli would have "significant input" in the final decision.
Several candidates were mentioned as possible replacements for Edwards even before he had been fired. The most notable names mentioned were Todd Haley, the offensive coordinator of the 2008 NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and Mike Shanahan, the former head coach of the Chiefs' rival Raiders and Broncos franchises. Other possible candidates included Jon Gruden, Leslie Frazier, Winston Moss, Kirk Ferentz, Jason Garrett, and even Scott Pioli's father-in-law, Bill Parcells.
Edwards was fired on January 23, and ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported later that evening that the Chiefs were targeting Mike Shanahan to become the next head coach. Mortensen initially reported that the Chiefs were negotiating on a contract with Shanahan. The report was later denied by Shanahan himself.
After a long period in which Haley was considered the front-runner for the head coaching position, there was concern as to whether the Chiefs would violate the Rooney Rule by immediately hiring Haley. The Rooney Rule, named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, specifies that NFL teams must give fair interviews to minority candidates whenever a head coaching position comes open. Some minority coaches were reportedly turning down offers from the Chiefs since Haley was the presumed target for the coaching vacancy. The Chiefs negotiated with Haley following the Cardinals' loss in Super Bowl XLIII, and Haley accepted the coaching position on February 5. Haley was introduced as head coach the following day.
Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham was hired by the Detroit Lions for the same position. Cunningham had been the defensive coordinator for the Chiefs from 1995 to 1998 and 2004 to 2008. He also served as the team's head coach from 1999 to 2000. The Chiefs also lost secondary coach David Gibbs to the Houston Texans and Mike Priefer to the Denver Broncos. Once Todd Haley was hired, the Chiefs fired tight ends coach Jon Embree, defensive assistant/assistant linebacker coach Michael Ketchum, running backs coach Curtis Modkins, offensive assistant/quality control coach Kevin Patullo, and wide receivers coach Eric Price.
Assistant coaches and administration For Haley's new coaching staff, the Chiefs hired Joel Collier, Gary Gibbs (linebackers), Steve Hoffman (special teams), Bill Muir (offensive line), Clancy Pendergast (defensive coordinator), Pat Perles, Dedric Ward (wide receivers), Ronnie Bradford (defensive assistant), Nick Sirianni (offensive quality control coach), and Maurice Carthon (assistant head coach). From Herman Edwards' staff, Chan Gailey was retained as offensive coordinator, and Bob Bicknell switched from offensive line to tight ends coach, and Joe D'Alessandris was retained as assistant offensive line coach. The Chiefs also relieved duties of several scouts and player personnel assistants once the 2009 NFL draft concluded.
Initially there were doubts as to whether Chan Gailey would be retained under Todd Haley's coaching staff, as Haley had just concluded a successful stint as offensive coordinator at Arizona. After the Chiefs lost their first three preseason games, Gailey was relieved of duties and Haley was expected to assume offensive play-calling duties.
Roster changes and trade demands Immediately following the Chiefs' 2008 season finale loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, running back Larry Johnson voiced his intention to seek a trade in the offseason. Johnson was involved in legal troubles in 2008 and his production on the field declined. As a result of his legal troubles, in March 2009 Johnson pleaded guilty to the two incidents that occurred in 2008 and was sentenced to two years probation. Johnson served suspensions from the NFL in 2008 and is not expected to receive further punishment from the charges.
Guard Brian Waters had issues with Todd Haley shortly after Haley's hiring, saying the coach had been disrespectful of him during a meeting, then that new general manager Scott Pioli refused to meet with him privately. Waters later told the Kansas City Star that he wanted to be traded and did not attend any of the team's voluntary offseason workouts. Newly acquired linebacker Mike Vrabel also did not attend offseason workouts citing his rights with the league's collective bargaining agreement.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez reiterated his intentions for a trade in March 2009 after a failed attempt in October 2008. He was eventually traded in April to the Atlanta Falcons.
Gonzalez lobbied for the Chiefs to keep Tyler Thigpen as the team's starting quarterback when Gonzalez was still with the team and when Matt Cassel was not yet on the Chiefs roster. Though he appeared to be the Chiefs' lone quarterback who would remain in their plans for 2009, especially after Damon Huard was released Thigpen was not considered a lock for the starting job. Thigpen competed with Matt Cassel for the starting quarterback position.
Departures
In February, the Chiefs released linebacker Donnie Edwards, quarterback Damon Huard, tight end Michael Merritt, and cornerback Patrick Surtain. In March, quarterback Quinn Gray was released. and in April wide receiver Will Franklin, tackle Andrew Carnahan, linebacker Curtis Gatewood, and wide receiver Kevin Robinson were released.
On April 23 the Chiefs traded tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In 2008 Gonzalez asked Chiefs management for a trade but negotiations failed and new general manager Scott Pioli reiterated that Gonzalez was initially not offered in trades for the 2009 season but agreed when the Falcons offered a second-round pick. Gonzalez had sought a trade in the 2008 season but several attempts failed.
At the conclusion of the preseason, the Chiefs released 13 players to reach the 53-player limit. Players released were safety Bernard Pollard, wide receiver Ashley Lelie, wide receiver Taurus Johnson, defensive tackle Derek Lokey, safety Ricky Price, and linebacker Zach Thomas. cornerback Jackie Bates, tight end Tom Crabtree, defensive end Dion Gales, defensive end Bobby Greenwood, guard Darryl Harris, running back Javarris Williams and wide receiver Rodney Wright were added to the practice squad.