The Kansas City Chiefs have been a franchise that has built bridges with the quarterback position. After Hall of Famer Len Dawson retired in 1975, Kansas City has made do at the position, starting more former 49ers players at the position than their own draft picks. In fact, prior to Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs had not selected a quarterback in the first round since Todd Blackledge in 1983 and had not won a game with a quarterback they drafted since 1987 (also Blackledge).
After their first AFC West championship since 2010 and their third playoff appearance in four tries, Andy Reid and the Chiefs traded up to the 10th overall pick in the draft to select Mahomes out of Texas Tech.