Chiefs Parallel ’09 Patriots, But Only So Far

From QB injuries to blockbuster trades, teams are eerily similar but Kansas City Chiefs have tons of work ahead.

Oct 14, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid meets New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated Kansas City 43-40. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The comparisons are surreal.

After uncharacteristically missing the playoffs and losing their quarterback to an ACL injury – Tom Brady’s season ended at age 31, Patrick Mahomes at 30 -- both the 2009 Patriots and 2026 Chiefs carved out similar offseasons leading up to their drafts.

Nov 21, 2011; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is pressured from Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Amon Gordon (99) in the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 34-3. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Both teams lost offensive coordinators, Josh McDaniels leaving to become head coach in Denver and Matt Nagy leaving to take over play-calling with the Giants. The Patriots handed offensive control to Bill O’Brien; the Chiefs brought back Eric Bieniemy.

Each team made big trades. New England shipped quarterback Matt Cassel and its future head coach, linebacker and part-time touchdown target Mike Vrabel, to the Chiefs. In return, Kansas City gave the Patriots a second-round selection in the 2009 draft. Then, just before the 2009 season-opener, New England sent future Hall of Famer Richard Seymour to the Raiders for a 2011 first-round pick.

Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Brett Veach so far has acquired four valuable picks for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, and solidified his backup-quarterback role with Justin Fields, a low-cost deal for a 2027 sixth-rounder.

Finally, both clubs replaced most of the defensive secondary compared to the prior season.

Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

History will remember the Chiefs from 2026 and beyond by how they compare to those 2009-18 Patriots. And the decisions Brett Veach and Andy Reid make over the next 31 days will play a big role.

As Brady was fighting through his rehab, here’s what the Patriots did during their own pivotal, 31-day period in 2009 – setting up an NFL-record 11 consecutive division titles, five more Super Bowl berths and three more world championships.

Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry (29) in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

They hit on their top pick

Bill Belichick used that second-rounder (34th overall) acquired from the Chiefs in the Cassel-Vrabel trade to draft Patrick Chung. Most remember the safety for his outstanding toughness and versatility, a three-time Super Bowl champion who became the first and only player to appear in the postseason each of his first 11 NFL seasons.

And he did it all with one team, New England. That’s the type of player Kansas City needs with its first pick, maybe not a Hall of Famer but a respected rock on their team.

Aug 12, 2010; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung (far left) reacts with safety Brandon Meriweather (second from left) after a tackle against the New Orleans Saints in the first half during the pre-season game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Saints 27-24. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Keep in mind that the Patriots followed Chung by missing on their second and third selections. They actually traded up to select nose tackle Ron Brace at 40th overall. Hampered by injuries, Brace wound up starting only seven games and retiring after four years. Then, they wound up releasing Darius Butler, a safety they took at No. 41 overall, after just two seasons.

New England did hit on its fourth selection that year, Sebastian Vollmer at 58 overall. A stalwart on the Patriots offensive line for seven seasons, he primarily protected Brady from right tackle.

The Chiefs as of now have three of the top 40 picks (9, 29 and 40). If Kansas City can win on two of its first three selections, the franchise will be in better shape than New England that year.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Sebastian Vollmer (left) with Fox Sports announcer Tom Brady on the field before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

They traded down more than trading up

Belichick made plenty of mistakes but he won 333 games, second-most in NFL history behind Don Shula’s 347, by succeeding far more often than failing. And one method he used was trading back more often than trading up. As a result, he gave himself more swings at the plate.

In 2009, he covered the Brace mistake by trading down several times, twice taking other teams' offers for his first-round choices. One of those trade downs allowed him to acquire a significant seventh-round pick. Belichick used it to convert Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman into a Super Bowl-MVP wide receiver.

Dec 8, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) stiff arms Kansas City Chiefs free safety Juan Thornhill (22) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images | Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Veach has traded up 14 times in 18 draft-weekend trades. He’s traded down on just four occasions. The Chiefs as of now will enter next month’s draft with nine picks; they’re expected to have nine more in 2027, should they get their three projected compensatory picks.

More swings at the plate are better than fewer.

Aug 24, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with wide receiver coach Chad O'Shea during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images | Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images

They leaned into their coaching staff and front office

Incredibly, nine individuals have become NFL general managers after time under Bill Belichick in New England’s front office, including Eliot Wolf, Nick Caserio and Jason Licht. No doubt, those counselors proved valuable in stocking the Patriots’ Super Bowl rosters.

They also hired a Vikings offensive assistant named Chad O’Shea and put him in charge of their wide receivers, including Edelman. Two months ago, Reid gave O’Shea the same role in Kansas City. O’Brien (quarterbacks), Dean Pees (defensive coordinator), Dante Scarnecchia (offensive line) and Matt Patricia (linebackers) all played important roles in preserving culture and grooming future Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs knew they needed a course correction in maintaining their standard, one reason they brought in Bieniemy.

Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy during a timeout from the game against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images