1987 Kansas City Chiefs season
| 1987 Kansas City Chiefs season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Frank Gansz |
| General manager | Jim Schaaf |
| Owner | Lamar Hunt |
| Home field | Arrowhead Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–11 |
| Division place | 5th AFC West |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | WR Carlos Carson DT Bill Maas CB Albert Lewis S Deron Cherry |
The 1987 Kansas City Chiefs season ended with an 4–11 record, and last place finish in the AFC West, under new head coach Frank Gansz. The Chiefs split their first two games never recovered and the Chiefs replacement players went 0-3. After the regulars returned, the Chiefs continued to struggle losing their next four games to stand at 1-8. The Chiefs would go on to finish with a disappointing 4-11 record, a year after making the playoffs.
One of the most tumultuous weeks in franchise history took place following the club’s playoff loss against the Jets in the 1986 playoffs. Assistant head coach and special teams coach Frank Gansz, resigned his position on January 7 in order to pursue opportunities as an NFL offensive coordinator. The following day, the Chiefs announced in an impromptu press conference that John Mackovic was relieved of his duties as head coach on January 8. A popular figure among Chiefs players, Gansz was reinstated on January 10 and was named the sixth head coach in franchise history.
Former quarterback Len Dawson became the third Chiefs player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8, while injuries forced the retirement of the club’s all-time leading tackler Gary Spani.
A duo of rookies made a splash in a 20–13 win on Opening Day against San Diego as running back Paul Palmer returned a kickoff for a TD and Christian Okoye dashed for 105 yards. A 24-day players strike began on September 22, canceling the club’s contest against Minnesota. Replacement players participated in games for the next three weeks. Much like Marv Levy five years earlier, Gansz’s grip on the club’s coaching reins was crippled by the labor unrest.
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