The 2005 season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 36th in the National Football League (NFL), their 46th overall, and their fifth and final season under head coach Dick Vermeil. The team improved on their 7–9 record from 2004 to a decent 10–6 record, but missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Chiefs became the sixth 10–6 team to fail to qualify for the playoffs since the NFL introduced the wild card. The Chiefs drafted Derrick Johnson and Dustin Colquitt in the 2005 NFL Draft. Both players would eventually become fan favorites. Johnson would play for the Chiefs until 2017 and Colquitt would play for the team until their Super Bowl championship season in 2019. The final season of head coach Dick Vermeil was a swan song for one of the NFL's most prolific offensive squads in years, and the breakout season of running back Larry Johnson, who finished the season with 1,750 rushing yards in only nine starts. After running back Priest Holmes was injured in week 8 against the San Diego Chargers, Johnson took over the reins of the Chiefs’ offense and it almost resulted in a playoff berth. For the 2005 campaign, the Chiefs brought several new players to boost a defense that has finished among the worst units the past three years. Starting with first draft pick, linebacker Derrick Johnson from the University of Texas, free agent linebacker Kendrell Bell, free agent safety Sammy Knight, and also trading for cornerback Patrick Surtain from the Miami Dolphins for a second-round draft pick, the Chiefs had high hopes for the 2005 season. Offseason Speculation on Dick Vermeil's future Speculation was heavy over the future of coach Dick Vermeil's job in Kansas City for the 2006 season. Vermeil initially signed on with the Chiefs for three years, but was entering his fifth. The 69-year-old Vermeil entered the season as the oldest current head coach in the NFL. Free agents The Chiefs attempted to bulk up their weak defense with veteran free agents who have proven themselves in the past. With the acquisitions of Kendrell Bell, Sammy Knight, and Patrick Surtain, the Chiefs had high hopes for the 2005 season. 2005 NFL Draft Staff Roster Schedule Preseason Regular season Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: vs. New York Jets Week 2: at Oakland Raiders Week 3: at Denver Broncos Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Eagles