2006 Kansas City Chiefs season

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The 2006 Kansas City Chiefs season was the team’s first under head coach Herm Edwards. They finished the regular season 9-7, earned a wild-card playoff berth, and ended the year 9-8 after the postseason. The year was filled with challenges, including Trent Green’s early injury, a changing offense, and the death of owner Lamar Hunt on December 13.

Season highlights
- Herm Edwards led the team for the first time after Dick Vermeil retired.
- The Chiefs made the playoffs as a sixth seed after a dramatic Week 17, needing multiple results to go their way. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars that week, securing their first playoff spot since 2003.
- They lost in the wild-card round to the Indianapolis Colts, 23-8, as the Colts went on to win the Super Bowl.

Key players and numbers
- RB Larry Johnson had a breakout season with 1,789 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod and a 1st-team All-Pro honor.
- TE Tony Gonzalez was a Pro Bowler and 2nd-team All-Pro.
- G Will Shields and G Brian Waters were also Pro Bowl selections.
- The Chiefs added defensive help, including cornerback Ty Law, as part of the offseason changes.
- The offense relied on a retooled attack after Trent Green’s injury in Week 1. Damon Huard stepped in as the starter for much of the year, with rookie Brodie Croyle also getting playing time.
- Johnson set the team’s single-season carries record with 416 rushing attempts.
- The team totaled about 5,143 yards for the season, averaging roughly 321 yards per game, and scored around 20.7 points per game. Huard posted strong quarterback ratings during his time starting.

Notable moments
- Thanksgiving: The Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos in a nationally televised game, a milestone moment highlighted by the Hunt family’s presence and the team’s performance on a holiday stage.
- December: The season included a difficult December stretch and the emotional tribute to Lamar Hunt after his passing.
- Week 17: Johnson’s 416th carry of the season helped push Kansas City to the final playoff spot, with the Chiefs needing several results to go their way that day.

Overall
The 2006 Chiefs overcame significant hurdles, including leadership changes, injuries, and the loss of their founder, to reach the playoffs. Johnson’s huge rushing total, Gonzalez’s and Shields’ and Waters’ Pro Bowl performances, and the defense’s improvements under Edwards defined a season that rebuilt optimism for Kansas City’s future.