Jim Reineking, a media editor with NFL.com, compiled a list of the top 20 free-agent singings in history, and the Chiefs cracked the list at No. 13 for their monumental move in 2001.
On the same day the Chiefs acquired Trent Green in a trade with the St. Louis Rams during the '01 offseason, they also signed unrestricted free agent running back Priest Holmes, who had been a backup with the Baltimore Ravens the season before.
After rushing for 1,094 yards and three touchdowns in 1999 and 2000 combined, Holmes ran for 1,555 yards and eight touchdowns in 2001 alone to become just the second player in Chiefs franchise history to lead the NFL in rushing. He also broke Christian Okoye's previous single-season franchise record of 1,480 yards in the process.
25 of the best photos from the career of Chiefs great Priest Holmes
In 2002, Holmes earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors by rushing for 1,615 yards and broke his own record from the season before. In 2002 and 2003 combined, he scored 51 total touchdowns.
Solely in 2003, Holmes set three records—NFL single-season touchdowns rushing (27), NFL single-season total touchdowns (27) and most career touchdowns scored by a Chiefs player (61). That year, the Chiefs went 13-3 in the regular season and clinched a playoff berth for the first time in six seasons.
Holmes held the Chiefs all-time career rushing title with 6,070 yards until last season, when Jamaal Charles took over the top spot.
