​We are 65 days away from the Kansas City Chiefs’ season-opening game against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football in Week 1. The No. 65 jersey has been worn by two-time Pro Bowl right guard Trey Smith since he was drafted in 2021. He has won two Super Bowls and is well on his way to immortalizing the uniform in franchise history.
Here are some other all-time Chiefs who have worn the 65 jersey. Gilliam is the only Pro Bowler on this list, but Lilja has a unique story that I was personally familiar with from an early age. Lilja and I share a high school alma mater, and his journey led him to continue his football career at Kansas State and eventually in the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts. He was kicked off the Shawnee Mission Northwest football team two games into his senior year after a party was busted. After drawing interest from Division I programs, Lilja had to play football at Coffeyville Community College before earning a scholarship with the Wildcats. He didn’t start in Manhattan until his senior year, but he played well enough to earn a chance as an undrafted free agent at Chiefs training camp in 2004.
The Colts quickly picked him up off waivers from Kansas City’s practice squad, and he went on to start 59 games for the Colts over five seasons; he started in both of Indianapolis’ Super Bowl appearances (2006 and 2009 seasons). He would return to the area where he grew up in 2010, starting 45 games for the Chiefs at guard and center before retiring from the NFL in 2012.
Mahomes rushed 64 times last year and was credited with a reception for -10 yards in the official stat book, though I can’t recall that play right now (perhaps the fumbled screen pass to running back Isiah Pacheco that he recovered against the New York Giants in Week 3?). Regardless, the 65 touches were fifth on the team. Essentially, Mahomes was advancing the ball himself the fifth-most often among all of the Chiefs’ playmakers. This is a reminder that the offense needs more consistent availability from its top skill-position players, but it’s also a note on the volume of running Mahomes is used to, as he continues toward full recovery from the knee injury he suffered last season.
Last regular season, only New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (61) scrambled more times than Mahomes (53). It’s unlikely that trend can continue in 2026, at least in the early parts of the year, so it will be interesting to see how much Mahomes—or the Chiefs’ offense as a whole—adjusts with that in mind. The evolving usage of Mahomes, the deeper role of the running game, and the way the team preserves the health of its top players will all play a part in shaping the Chiefs’ strategy as they approach the new season.