We are 54 days away from the Kansas City Chiefs‘ season-opening game against the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1.
The No. 54 jersey was most recently worn by linebacker Leo Chenal, who signed a contract with the Washington Commanders in free agency this offseason. No one is assigned that number ahead of Chiefs training camp, although it was the number linebacker Nick Bolton wore as a rookie.
Advertisement
In franchise history, linebackers Tray Simien (1991 – 1997) and Damien Wilson (2019 – 2020) have made their marks as defensive starters in the uniform, but it’s an offensive lineman who represents the number in franchise lore:
13 December 2009: Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters (54) prepares to make a block during the Buffalo Bills 16-10 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Moffett/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
Originally undrafted from North Texas in 2000, Brian Waters turned into the team’s starting left guard by the end of 2001. By 2004, he was a first-team All-Pro, the first of two such honors. He would go on to make six Pro Bowls and win the 2009 “Walter Payton Man of the Year” award.
His coolest accomplishment, however, was earning the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award after the Chiefs beat the Atlanta Falcons 56-10 with eight rushing touchdowns in 2004.
Advertisement
He started through the 2010 season, aiding that year’s team in winning the AFC West. He would go on to make a Pro Bowl with the New England Patriots as well. He was inducted into the Chiefs’ Ring of Honor in 2019.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 07: Kareem Hunt #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with teammates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The eight touchdowns scored by running back Kareem Hunt accounted for 54 points, the most of any Chiefs player besides kicker Harrison Butker last season.
Hunt is still a free agent at 30 years old; should he still be an option in the backfield by the time Kansas City gets to Week 1? With training camp starting this week, the team will be evaluating the new batch of running backs behind lead back Kenneth Walker.
If the team is lacking the powerful, short-yardage skillset that made Hunt so reliable near the goal line and in short-yardage situations last year, should he return for those specific scenarios?
