FILES, UNITED STATES: This 30 October 94 file photo shows Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Joe Montana (19) preparing to pass (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
Joe Montana regrets leaving Kansas City so suddenly after two seasons, retiring in 1994.
Joe Montana will always be known first and foremost as a San Francisco 49ers star, but he pieced together two solid seasons as the starter with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 and ’94.
While he helped get a franchise that had been stuck in the mud to the postseason in two straight seasons, Montana’s reign in Kansas City lasted just two seasons, and he’s still a bit ticked off by that.
Speaking with FanSided, Montana claims that leaving Kansas City after the 1994 season at the age of 38 was a regret of his. However, he asserted that his injury problems coupled with his age was ultimately the nail in the coffin for his pro career.
“I still regret that I left Kansas City that early,” Montana said. “I’ve had 26 surgeries…I’m still dealing with things, but I’d do it all over again.”
Joe Montana was his usual, excellent self with the Chiefs
Montana’s accomplishments with the 49ers have been discussed ad infinitum, as his two MVPs and four championships elevated him firmly into the GOAT discussion. After basically two seasons without playing, San Francisco jettisoned him to Kansas City as they moved ahead with Steve Young.
Montana landed on a team coached by the great Marty Schottenheimer with Marcus Allen at running back, and he instantly took them to an AFC Championship game while making a Pro Bowl.
While the Chiefs went 17-8 in games Montana started and Joe himself had the lowest interception percentage in the league during his last year in the league, his injuries ultimately proved too difficult to overcome, and Steve Bono ended up as the starter next year.
Montana might not have been an MVP in Kansas City, but you won’t find one Chiefs fan that will say one bad thing about him thanks to his stint as the starter.