KC Chiefs: Games Played by Drafted Chiefs Quarterbacks
TODD BLACKLEDGE
40 GAMES, 24 STARTS
Arguably the biggest draft bust in Kansas City Chiefs history is Todd Blackledge, who the team selected seventh overall in the 1983 NFL Draft. For those of you who have seen the infamous “From Elway to Marino” 30 for 30, you know how this story played out.
Despite Blackledge being a tremendous bust, he’s still the last quarterback that the Chiefs have drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The Chiefs had the seventh overall pick and went with Blackledge over future Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. Just our luck, right?
Blackledge was horrendous as an NFL quarterback, starting 24 games and appearing in 40 total. He passed for 4,510 yards in five seasons and threw just 26 touchdowns to 32 interceptions. Simply put – He was terrible.
Blackledge was never able to be a consistent starter for the Chiefs, with eight starts being the most he had in a season. It became evident after the 1987 season that he was a proven bust, so the Chiefs moved on. Blackledge then played for the Steelers for two years and was out of football after 1989.
Despite Blackledge being a tremendous bust, he’s still the last quarterback that the Chiefs have drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, which is why we continue to bring his name up. Perhaps the Chiefs are scarred for life after this epic disaster of a pick, but they have to give it a shot again. Blackledge can’t hold them back forever, can he? So far, he has.