Linebacker Derrick Johnson will be inducted into Chiefs Hall of Fame

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 29: Derrick Johnson #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs enters the field at Arrowhead Stadium during player introductions against the Buffalo Bills on November 29, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) | Getty Images As fans of the Kansas City Chiefs await the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the team announced it will honor the career of its first-round pick from 2005. Our all-time leading tackler has earned his rightful place in the Chiefs Hall of Fame.

Congratulations, @superdj56 ! 👏 pic. twitter.

com/iNbKSuFoQf — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 23, 2026 Former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson — the franchise’s all-time leader in solo tackles (941) — will be the 2026 Chiefs Hall of Fame inductee . As the 15th-overall pick out of the University of Texas in 2005, Johnson’s career in Kansas City somehow stretched from the final season of head coach Dick Vermeil, through the ups and downs of head coaches Herm Edwards and Todd Haley, to the modern, golden era of Chiefs football by playing for head coach Andy Reid for five seasons (2013-2017). Johnson was always a talented outside linebacker, showing quick, easy mobility that was rare to pair with a 6-foot-3, 242-pound physique.

He was a four-year starter when Haley was hired in 2009, but was unproven enough in the new coaching staff’s mind to be demoted to a rotational role. During the final game of that four-win season, in a road game against the playoff-hopeful Denver Broncos (8-7), Johnson made the most of just his third start of the campaign. Johnson nabbed two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns at distances of 45 and 60 yards.