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2021 Kansas City Chiefs season
62nd season in franchise history From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2021 season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 62nd overall and their ninth under head coach Andy Reid, looking to become the fourth team in NFL history to make three straight Super Bowls.
The Chiefs started off slowly at 3–4 but would finish the regular season 12–5, winning the AFC West division title for the sixth consecutive season and 14th overall. The Chiefs would host their fourth straight conference championship but lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime 24–27.[1][2]
This would be the final season with long-time wide receiver Tyreek Hill, as he was traded to the Miami Dolphins on March 23, 2022. A 6-time Pro Bowler during his time with Kansas City, Hill's final game with the Chiefs was on January 30, 2022, the aforementioned AFC Championship Game vs. the Bengals.
Head coach Andy Reid recorded his 100th win as the Chiefs head coach on October 3, 2021, a 42–30 win over his former team, Philadelphia Eagles. Reid became the first coach in NFL history to win 100 games as a head coach with multiple teams as well as the first to lead multiple teams to four straight Conference Championships, previously doing so with the Eagles from the 2001 to 2004 seasons.
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Season summary
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On March 4, 2021, the Chiefs announced that they had officially renamed Arrowhead Stadium, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.[3]
The Chiefs lost two of their longest tenured players in the offseason. Tackle Eric Fisher was released[4] and fullback Anthony Sherman retired.[5] Both players joined the Chiefs in 2013.
In the offseason, the Chiefs announced they would once again retire their live horse mascot Warpaint to continue with their commitment to stop using Native American imagery.[6]

The Chiefs opened the season on September 12 with a 33–29 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The win was the Chiefs' 15th consecutive win in September.[7] The Chiefs would lose their next two games to give them a 1–2 record after three games, which was their first losing record in 89 games, dating back to week 10 of the 2015 season.[8] The Chiefs' 20–38 week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills, was the Chiefs' first double-digit loss in the regular season since 2017 and the Chiefs' first double-digit loss at home since 2014. In Week 7, the Chiefs lost 3–27 to the Tennessee Titans, which is the fewest points scored in a game since Patrick Mahomes became the quarterback. The Chiefs maintained a non-winning record until a week 9 victory over the Green Bay Packers. That 7-week stretch without a winning record was the Chiefs' longest stretch without a winning record since 2012 when they held a losing record the entire season. After starting the season 3–4, the Chiefs won their ninth game in week 14 over the Las Vegas Raiders clinching their ninth consecutive winning season, one short of the franchise record of 10. The 48–9 victory over the Raiders was the largest in franchise history over the Raiders and the largest victory against any opponent since the 2006 season.[9] In week 16, following a 36–10 victory over the Steelers and a loss by the Chargers, the Chiefs clinched their sixth consecutive AFC West division championship and their franchise record seventh straight playoff berth.[10] The Chiefs finished the regular season 12–5, their fourth consecutive 12-win season, all four since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback.
Kansas City defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 42–21 in the Wild Card round of the 2021–22 NFL playoffs. They would then host Buffalo in the Divisional round, winning that game 42–36 in overtime. This game was hailed as one of the greatest modern NFL playoff games, with both teams combining for 25 points in the final two minutes of regulation.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The following week, despite being favored to win the AFC Championship game, the Chiefs would lose the game in an upset to the Bengals in overtime 24–27, a game in which they led 21–3 at one point in the second quarter.
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NFL Top 100
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NFL Network began announcing their annual top 100 list on August 15, 2021. Five Chiefs players were named to the list. Defensive end Frank Clark is the only player still on the roster that was ranked the previous season that went unranked for the 2021 season. Tight end Travis Kelce was ranked 5th, which is the highest ranking ever for a tight end in the history of the Top 100. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was ranked 1st on the list, which was the first time a Chiefs player was ranked the number one.
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Offseason
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Transactions listed below occurred between the day after Super Bowl LV, February 8, and August 14, the day of the Chiefs first preseason game.
Source unless otherwise noted[18]
Coaching staff changes
Players lost
Below are players who were on the roster at the end of the 2020 season, but were either released or did not re-sign after their contract expired. If a player resigns during the offseason, their name will be removed from the list.
Retirements
Players that were on the Chiefs roster at the end of the season who announced their retirement before the preseason are listed below, even if their contract with the Chiefs had officially expired prior to their announcement.
Players added
*Finished 2020 season on the Chiefs practice squad.
Trades
Listed below are trades were a player was included in the trade.
Draft
Trades
- The Chiefs traded a sixth-round selection (213th overall) in the 2021 draft to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft.[37]
- The Chiefs received a sixth-round selection (207th overall) in the 2021 draft from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a seventh-round selection (258th overall) in the 2021 draft and running back DeAndre Washington.[38]
- The Chiefs traded their first-round selection (31st overall), third-round selection (94th overall), fourth-round selection (136th overall) in the 2021 draft, and a fifth-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., a second-round selection (58th overall) in the 2021 draft, and a sixth-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft.[39]
- The Chiefs traded their fourth-round selection (175th overall) and their sixth-round selection (207th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for the Jets fourth-round selection (162nd overall) and a sixth-round selection (226th overall).
Undrafted free agents
Signed and released in the offseason
Below are players who were signed and released in the offseason before playing for the team.
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Preseason transactions
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Transactions listed below, occurred between August 15, the day after the Chiefs first preseason game, and September 12, the day of the Chiefs first regular season game.
Source for all transactions[18]
Cut to 85
The first preseason roster cutdown occurred on August 17. In addition the transactions below, the Chiefs placed running back Elijah McGuire on injured reserve.
Cut to 80
The second preseason cutdown occurred on August 24. The Chiefs released or waived five players and did not use reserve lists to make the 80 player limit.
Final cutdown
The third and final preseason cutdown occurred on August 31. In addition to the transactions below, the Chiefs traded a player, placed Kyle Long on the physically unable to perform list, and placed Malik Herring on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Trades
Listed below are trades were a player was included in the trade.
Signings
*Marcus Kemp was initially released during roster cut-downs, but was signed to the practice squad. The day after being signed to the practice squad, he was elevated to the active roster after linebacker Willie Gay was placed on injured reserve
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Regular season transactions
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Below are transactions that occurred after the Chiefs first game through their final game. Transactions below are only transactions related to the Chiefs active roster. Practice squad transactions will not be included.
Source for transactions through December 31[18]
Source for transactions after January 1[41]
Standard elevations
Standard practice squad elevations allow a player to elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for a single game and revert back to the practice squad following the game. Below are standard elevations used by the Chiefs during the season.
*No longer on practice squad
Non-standard elevations
Below are players elevated from the practice squad using a non-standard elevation, meaning, if the Chiefs want them to go back to the practice squad, they must clear waivers then sign them back to the practice squad.
Trades
Listed below are trades where a player was included in the trade.
Players cut
Injured reserve activations
Players listed below were activated off injured reserve
COVID-19 protocols
The following players missed games because of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols. Typically, a player misses because of a positive test. Vaccinated players can return simply after a subsequent negative test, unvaccinated players are out for five days.
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Staff
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Front office
Head coaches Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Final roster
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Preseason
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Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers
Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
- Date: August 14
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT/5:30 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: Clear, 79 °F (26 °C)
- Game attendance: 54,397
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (KSHB): Ari Wolfe, Trent Green, Kay Adams and Matt McMullen
- Recap, Game Book
Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals
Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: August 20
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT/5:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 56,271
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick and Lisa Salters
- Recap, Game Book
Week 3: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: August 27
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 91 °F (33 °C)
- Game attendance: 72,680
- Referee: Shawn Hochuli
- TV announcers (KSHB): Ari Wolfe, Trent Green, Kay Adams and Matt McMullen
- Recap, Game Book
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Regular season
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Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 1: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: September 12
- Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
- Game attendance: 72,973
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Date: September 19
- Game time: 7:20 p.m. CDT/8:20 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Clear, 73 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 70,417
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
- Recap, Game Book
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: September 26
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 81 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 72,980
- Referee: Shawn Hochuli
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
Week 4: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Date: October 3
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 73 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 69,796
- Referee: Land Clark
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game Book
Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 5: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 10
- Game time: 7:20 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,389
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
- Recap, Game Book
Week 6: at Washington Football Team
Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Football Team – Game summary
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
- Date: October 17
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 51,322
- Referee: Adrian Hill
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game Book
Week 7: at Tennessee Titans
Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
- Date: October 24
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C)
- Game attendance: 69,484
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game Book
Week 8: vs. New York Giants
Week 8: New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 1
- Game time: 7:15 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C)
- Game attendance: 72,898
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick and Lisa Salters
- Recap, Game Book
Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 9: Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 7
- Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,476
- Referee: Shawn Smith
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi
- Recap, Game Book
Week 10: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders – Game summary
Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 11: Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 21
- Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,494
- Referee: John Hussey
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi
- Recap, Game Book
Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 13: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 5
- Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,185
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Kathryn Tappen
- Recap, Game Book
Week 14: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 15: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 15: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Date: December 16
- Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST/5:20 p.m. CST
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 70,240
- Referee: Shawn Smith
- TV announcers (Fox/NFLN/Prime Video): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Game Book
Week 16: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: January 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 33 °F (1 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,505
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
Week 18: at Denver Broncos
Week 18: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: January 8
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST/2:30 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 44 °F (7 °C)
- Game attendance: 76,012
- Referee: Brad Rogers
- TV announcers (ESPN/ABC): Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Laura Rutledge
- Recap, Game Book
Standings
Division
Conference
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Postseason
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Schedule
Game summaries
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (7) Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (2) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: January 16, 2022
- Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,253
- Referee: Shawn Smith
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
- Recap, Game Book
Chiefs go to the Divisional Round to win over the Bills 42-36.
AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (3) Buffalo Bills
AFC Divisional Playoffs: (3) Buffalo Bills at (2) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: January 23, 2022
- Game time: 6:40 p.m. EST/5:40 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,242
- Referee: John Hussey
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson and Jay Feely
- Recap, Game Book
Chiefs played to the Bengals tough in the AFC Championship Game losing 27-24.
AFC Championship: vs. (4) Cincinnati Bengals
AFC Championship: (4) Cincinnati Bengals at (2) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: January 30, 2022
- Game time: 3:05 p.m. EST/2:05 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,377
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn and Jay Feely
- Recap, Game Book
Chiefs lost and in 2022, 2023 and 2024 will have their division titles.
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Statistics
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Team
Individual
Statistics correct as of the end of the 2021 NFL season[43][44]
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References
External links
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