The Chiefs became the sixth 10–6 team to fail to qualify for the playoffs since the NFL introduced the wild card.

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.

The Chiefs got off to a 2–0 start, winning their Week 1 home-opener against the New York Jets and then went on the road to beat their division-rival Oakland Raiders.

The Chiefs had little time to celebrate because they were informed that because Hurricane Wilma was going to impact Miami on Sunday; they would have to face the Dolphins two days earlier.

The Chiefs would rebound at home and win a well-fought rematch with their arch-rivals, the Oakland Raiders, with a final of 27–23.

However, the Chiefs' next game would not fare as well, as they ended losing the Buffalo Bills, despite outgaining them in yards from scrimmage.

Holmes was injured by Chargers rookie linebacker Shawne Merriman and suffered severe head and neck trauma.

In the following weeks, the Chiefs had a huge disadvantage with back-to-back interconference road losses to the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.

The following day, the Chiefs soundly defeated the Bengals, who had already clinched a playoff berth, by a final score of 37–3.

With the acquisitions of Kendrell Bell, Sammy Knight, and Patrick Surtain, the Chiefs had high hopes for the 2005 season.