The team endured many setbacks during the 2006 season, including the loss of starting quarterback Trent Green in the first game, the readjustment of a record-breaking offense, and the death of owner and founder Lamar Hunt on December 13, 2006.

The Chiefs entered Week 17 of the season a long shot to make the playoffs, needing a win and a loss from the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans.

On Monday, January 9, 2006, the Chiefs made their first step throughout the 2006 offseason when they hired Herman Edwards from the New York Jets as the new head coach.

Note: The Chiefs exchanged their fourth round draft pick to the New York Jets in order to acquire coach Herman Edwards.

Just before training camp, Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law was added to Kansas City's lineup to strengthen the defense.

In the third quarter, quarterback Trent Green received a concussion when he slid past the first-down marker and was hit by Robert Geathers' shoulder.

The mood of the game changed instantly when the Chiefs lost their leader, and many fans began to leave Arrowhead Stadium due to heavy rain and the dwindling score.

The Kansas City defense held the Broncos scoreless in the first half, and to only nine points by the end of the game; the fewest the Chiefs have permitted at Denver since registering a 21–7 win on October 22, 1995.

The Chiefs took a week off, using the time to help Trent Green recover from his injury and developing Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle familiarity with their offensive playbook.

While compiling a 133.3 passer rating – 158.3 is perfect – Huard was hardly ever touched or even hurried by a San Francisco defense which had rung up 12 sacks in its first three games.

[11] Cornerback Ty Law made a costly error in the opening series by slipping on the turf, allowing Santonio Holmes to gain 50 yards on the third play of the game.

The Chiefs put in rookie quarterback Brodie Croyle in the final quarter, who managed an interception for a touchdown and a sack, as the Steelers ended the game with the 45–7 victory margin.

The game was tied for the rest of the fourth quarter until 33 seconds remained when Damon Huard led the Chiefs to a 52-yard gain with 3 passes—two of them to Tony Gonzalez for 37 yards.

Quarterback Seneca Wallace responded to the Chiefs' lead by throwing to Wide receiver Deion Branch, who went out of bounds in front of the end zone.

The Chiefs' defense held the Seahawks for the remaining time in the fourth quarter after Jared Allen intercepted a tipped pass from Seneca Wallace.

Chiefs' running back Priest Holmes would meet with a neurosurgeon about his October 30 neck injury, suffered against the Chargers' Shawne Merriman.

Huard continued the drive with a 3-yard pass to Tony Gonzalez, his 58th career touchdown and the Chiefs' all-time record breaker for Tight ends.

Several Chiefs players were injured throughout the game including Brian Waters, Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Greg Wesley, Keyaron Fox and Kendall Gammon.

On November 19, the Chiefs began a short week by facing their historic division rivals, the Oakland Raiders, and prepared for another home game just four days later against the Denver Broncos.

[32] With the help of backup Michael Bennett, Larry Johnson and the run game trampled the Raiders to get into the end zone from 5 yards out.

Aaron Brooks shot a pass from the 8 yard line to Randy Moss, but the ball was intercepted by rookie safety Jarrad Page with 30 seconds left in the game.

[38] The 74-year-old Hunt, who missed only a handful of games since founding the franchise, was admitted to a Dallas-area hospital on Wednesday,[39] bitterly disappointed he would not see Kansas City's inaugurating the NFL's new Thanksgiving tripleheader.

Within the first half, Trent Green committed three turnovers[42] In the third quarter, Kansas City fell big as blown coverage allowed Steve McNair to complete an 87-yard touchdown pass to Mark Clayton.

In the late hours of Wednesday, December 13, Chiefs founder and owner Lamar Hunt died due to complications to prostate cancer at the age of 74.

[51] The Chiefs did not allow Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to complete a pass until early in the second quarter when he threw for 18 yards to Vincent Jackson.

[52] With the win, Kansas City snapped its three-game skid, improved its record to 8–7, while the Raiders lost their eighth straight game of the season.

The most notable of which came against Jacksonville's defensive tackle John Henderson and Kansas City's guard Brian Waters, both of which were flagged for unnecessary roughness.

[60] The Chiefs held the sixth seed in the AFC playoff bracket, the same berth as the previous year's Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Entering the AFC Wild Card Round as the sixth-seed, the Chiefs began their playoff run in the RCA Dome against the third-seeded Indianapolis Colts.

Afterwards, Kansas City's offense finally got going by not only getting some first downs, but they also capped off their drive with QB Trent Green completing a 6-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez.