2007 Kansas City Chiefs

The 2007 Kansas City Chiefs season will begin with the team looking to improve on the 9-7 record from the 2006 and attempting to secure their first back-to-back playoff berth since 1995.

The 2007 season will mark the Chiefs' forty-fifth season in Kansas City, Missouri. The season will also be one of transition —quarterback Trent Green was traded to Miami, leaving the door open for second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle or veteran Damon Huard to win the starting job. Huard was named starting quarterback on August 25.

Head coach Herman Edwards will continue to build upon the Chiefs' roster with young players, mostly on defense, and help stabilize a once record-setting offensive line. The Chiefs continue to rebuild a defense that may quietly creep its way back to respectability.

In 2007, the Chiefs will wear a special American Football League patch on their uniforms with the initials "LH" emblazoned inside the logo's football. It will honor their late owner and AFL founder, Lamar Hunt.

Schedule
The Chiefs' 2007 schedule was announced on April 11, 2007.

*:Pending the NFL's flexible schedule policy

Offseason
Almost immediately after the Chiefs' loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts in January 2007, the state of the team was brought into question. The Chiefs' off-season began with turmoil over the contract of Tony Gonzalez, and the long-term status of Trent Green in Kansas City.

New quarterback
For the first time in almost 20 years the Chiefs will go to camp with some doubt about their starting quarterback.

Backup quarterback Damon Huard was signed to a three-year contract in February and Green was not only asked to restructure his contract but offered in trades to other teams. Backup quarterback Brodie Croyle, whom was drafted in 2006, is also in contention with Huard. The Chiefs had said Green would be welcome to return and compete for the job as well if he wasn’t traded. After the draft had passed, Trent Green was still on the Chiefs' roster, but Green's agent stated that Green will not return to the Chiefs for the 2007 season.

On June 5, the Chiefs traded Green to the Miami Dolphins.

On August 25, Damon Huard was named the thirteenth starting quarterback in franchise history.

Running back drama
As rumors spread concerning the Chiefs' quarterback situation, more emerged concerning their starting running back, Larry Johnson. The Kansas City Star, without citing a source, reported that the team had offered Johnson up for trade in the weeks before the 2007 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old Johnson participated in all of the Chiefs' offseason program, but is entering the final year of his contract. Johnson reportedly made it clear he wants a deal worth more than the eight-year, $60 million contract San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson signed in 2005. The Chiefs invited four running backs—California's Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman, Florida State's Lorenzo Booker and Louisville's Kolby Smith—for interviews, and had said they were willing to draft a running back in the early rounds. The Chiefs later selected Kolby Smith in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

On June 21, Johnson stated that he was willing to sit out the Chiefs' training camp unless he and the Chiefs reach an agreement on a new contract. Johnson was absent at the start of training camp as contract talks were stalled. On July 25, reports surfaced of former starting running back Priest Holmes informing the team that he would arrive at training camp on the third day of practice (Saturday, July 28). Holmes could either act as leverage to re-sign Johnson or even reclaim the starting position for himself if Johnson decides to sit out. Holmes had not played since the middle of the 2005 season after suffering a severe neck injury against the San Diego Chargers.

On August 21, Johnson and the Chiefs agreed to a five-year contract extension that locks Johnson with the Chiefs through the 2012 season. As a result of this extension, Johnson is now the highest-paid running back in the NFL based on average salary per year. The contract is worth $45 million, with $19 million guaranteed. Of the guaranteed money, $12 million is the signing bonus and $7 million is guaranteed salary.

On August 30, Johnson played his first game in the 2007 season, carrying the ball only 3 times in the first quarter of the Chiefs' matchup against the St. Louis Rams.

Suspensions
On April 27, defensive end Jared Allen was suspended for the first four games of the 2007 season. Also, despite earlier stating that he would seek a trade, Allen announced that he will return to the Chiefs, and signed a one-year contract. On July 16, Allen's suspension was reduced to two games following an appeal.

Free agency
The Chiefs had nineteen free-agent players heading into the 2007 off-season.

Team additions
On January 26, the Chiefs agreed to terms on a two-year deal with offensive tackle Ramiro Pruneda from Monterrey Tech in Monterrey, Mexico.

On March 3, the Chiefs signed offensive tackle Damion McIntosh agreed to terms on a six-year contract.

On March 6, middle linebacker Napoleon Harris agreed to a six-year deal with the Chiefs.

On March 7, the Chiefs agreed to a contract with long snapper Jean-Philippe Darche.

On March 10, the Chiefs welcomed back outside linebacker Donnie Edwards to the team by giving him a three year, $14 million contract. Edwards began his career in Kansas City after being drafted in 1996, and spent five years with the San Diego Chargers before returning to the Chiefs.

On March 17, the Chiefs signed defensive tackle Alfonso Boone. Similar to the deal with Ron Edwards, Boone agreed to a four-year deal worth around $7-8 million.

On March 29, strong safety Jon McGraw signed with the Chiefs on a two-year deal.

On May 7, the Chiefs signed 16 undrafted rookie free agents.

Departures
On March 21, strong safety Sammy Knight and offensive tackle Kyle Turley were released. Turley was subsequently re-signed on July 21 after contemplating retirement.

On April 15, offensive guard Will Shields announced his retirement. In 14 seasons, Shields never missed a game, and he failed to start only one contest, his first regular-season outing, as a rookie in 1993.

On April 25, the Chiefs traded wide receiver/kick returner Dante Hall to the St. Louis Rams for a fifth round pick, and both teams also swapped picks in the third round (Kansas City moved up two spots).

On May 1, the Chiefs released defensive end Eric Hicks, and traded defensive tackle Ryan Sims to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed future draft pick.

On May 22, the Chiefs traded kicker Lawrence Tynes to the New York Giants for an undisclosed future Draft pick in 2008

On May 23, the Chiefs released linebacker Kris Griffin.

In June, reports surfaced concerning safety Greg Wesley and a trade to the Denver Broncos. The teams had agreed on terms of draft-choice compensation, but the Chiefs have yet to sign off on the deal in fear of sending him to a division rival. Wesley remained on the team heading into training camp.

Trent Green traded to Miami
On March 6, Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson officially announced that quarterback Trent Green was asked to restructure his contract to remain with the team. Green was also granted permission to explore options of a trade to another team. The February contract agreement with Damon Huard, who would have been an unrestricted free agent, was the first public indication that Green’s job was in danger. The first team to have contacted the Chiefs' front office was the Miami Dolphins, but Miami constantly disgreed in negotiations. The Dolphins offered a seventh round draft pick to the Chiefs, but the Chiefs declined, instead seeking a second round pick in exchange for Green. The Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns were also interested in Green, whom are both looking for a veteran quarterback. Green had told the Chiefs that Miami was his preference being that he previously worked under both head coach Cam Cameron and quarterbacks coach Terry Shea. On draft day, the Chiefs and Dolphins could not reach a deal to trade Green. The Chiefs changed their request to a fourth-round pick while the Dolphins offered a sixth round pick. Green's agent reiterated that Green would not return to play for Kansas City.

On June 5, the Chiefs agreed to trade Green to the Miami Dolphins for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, pending a physical from Green. The pick can be upgraded to a fourth-rounder if Green reaches certain predetermined playing time and performance levels.

2007 NFL Draft
''Note: In 2006, the Chiefs traded their fourth round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for running back Michael Bennett. The Chiefs also swapped third-round picks with the St. Louis Rams and also received a second fifth-round pick in a trade for Dante Hall.

Training camp
The Chiefs will conduct summer training camp in River Falls, Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin for the 17th consecutive year in 2007. The team departed for River Falls on July 26 with the first day of practice held on July 27. Kansas City will hold joint practice sessions with the Minnesota Vikings on August 3 in Mankato, Minnesota and on August 4 in River Falls. The Chiefs honored Greensburg, Kansas and the town's high school football team by wearing special baseball hats to practice and also help raise money to help buy equipment for the Rangers football team and cheerleading squad following a devastating F-5 tornado that destroyed the city.

The Chiefs' training camp will be featured on the NFL Films/HBO joint feature Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. The series, returning for its third season, and first in over four years, premiered Wednesday, August 8 at 10 PM EST, exclusively on HBO. Subsequent hour-long episodes will air each Wednesday at the same time, culminating with the season finale on September 5, with encore replays on Thursdays.

Running back Larry Johnson and rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe were both absent at the beginning of training camp as both of them were yet to agree on their contracts. Bowe signed his contract on August 5 after being absent for one week while Johnson agreed to his contract extension on August 21, after missing 25 days of practice. Priest Holmes arrived at camp on July 28 and was placed on the physically unable to perform list until further notice. Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle are expected to battle for the starting quarterback position, and an announcement is expected after the third exhibition game.

Exhibition games
The Cleveland Browns hosted the Chiefs on August 11 in the team's first pre-season game and defeated Kansas City 16-12. On August 16, Trent Green returned to Kansas City when the Chiefs hosted the Miami Dolphins and lost the game 11-10. The game marked the first time in NFL pre-season (or regular season) that a game finished with that score. On August 23 the New Orleans Saints defeated the Chiefs 30-7 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs and St. Louis Rams competed for the Missouri Governor's Cup on August 30 at the Edward Jones Dome, and the Chiefs lost possession of the Cup for the first time since 2005 with a 10-3 loss. The Chiefs also finished the preseason with an 0-4 record for the first time since the 2005 preseason.

Week 1: at Houston Texans
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
 * Game time: 1:00 PM EST/12:00 PM CST
 * Game weather: Domed stadium
 * Game attendance: To be determined
 * Referee: To be determined
 * TV announcers: Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots

Scoring drives
To be determined

Game summary
To be determined