Kansas City Chiefs All-Time Interceptions Leaders starts with Emmitt Thomas, the franchise record-holder with 58 interceptions. For a franchise with Johnny Robinson, Deron Cherry, Gary Barbaro, Albert Lewis, Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell in its defensive history, Thomas still owning the top spot says everything about his ball skills and long-term impact.
Johnny Robinson is right behind him with 57 interceptions, giving the Chiefs one of the closest No. 1 races of any franchise interceptions leaderboard. Deron Cherry is third with 50, while Gary Barbaro and Albert Lewis complete a top five loaded with elite defensive backs from different Kansas City eras.
For the full team index, visit our Kansas City Chiefs all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This list uses regular-season interceptions recorded with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs franchise only.
How This Chiefs Interceptions List Works
This list ranks the Kansas City Chiefs all-time interceptions leaders by regular-season interceptions recorded with the franchise. It does not include playoff interceptions, preseason stats or interceptions recorded with another NFL team.
That matters for players who had NFL chapters outside Kansas City. For this leaderboard, only Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs franchise interceptions count.
This ranking includes the Dallas Texans era because the Chiefs franchise began as the Dallas Texans before moving to Kansas City. That is why early AFL players such as Johnny Robinson, Bobby Hunt and Duane Wood are included alongside later Chiefs defenders.
Last updated: 2026 offseason. This table uses franchise-only regular-season interception totals.
Interceptions vs. Chiefs Defensive Legacy
Interceptions do not tell the entire story of a defender, but they are one of the cleanest ways to measure ball production. That is why this Chiefs leaderboard is packed with defensive backs who could change games without needing huge tackle totals.
The top of the list also shows how strong Kansas City’s early defensive foundation was. Emmitt Thomas, Johnny Robinson, Bobby Hunt, Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell were all part of the franchise’s AFL-to-NFL defensive identity, while players like Deron Cherry, Albert Lewis, Kevin Ross, Dale Carter, James Hasty and Marcus Peters connect the list to later eras.
This is also one of the rare interceptions leaderboards where linebackers matter near the top. Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell both finished inside the top 10, which shows how complete Kansas City’s classic defense really was.
Table of Contents
- How This Chiefs Interceptions List Works
- Interceptions vs. Chiefs Defensive Legacy
- 1. Emmitt Thomas — 58 Interceptions
- 2. Johnny Robinson — 57 Interceptions
- 3. Deron Cherry — 50 Interceptions
- 4. Gary Barbaro — 39 Interceptions
- 5. Albert Lewis — 38 Interceptions
- 6. Bobby Hunt — 37 Interceptions
- 7. Kevin Ross — 30 Interceptions
- 8. Greg Wesley — 29 Interceptions
- 9. Willie Lanier — 27 Interceptions
- 10. Bobby Bell — 26 Interceptions
- Biggest Takeaways
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More Chiefs and NFL Rankings
1. Emmitt Thomas — 58 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1966–1978 with Kansas City, franchise-record 58 interceptions, 937 interception return yards, 5 interception return touchdowns, Super Bowl IV champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback.
Emmitt Thomas is the Kansas City Chiefs all-time interceptions leader with 58. He was one of the smartest and most productive defensive backs in franchise history, and his record still stands decades after his final season.
Thomas had elite ball skills and consistently turned defensive stops into game-changing takeaways. He read quarterbacks well, broke on throws quickly and gave Kansas City a true shutdown-caliber playmaker on the back end.
His 58 interceptions remain the top mark in Chiefs history. When a player stays one pick ahead of Johnny Robinson and eight ahead of Deron Cherry, that says plenty about the level of competition at the top of this list.
2. Johnny Robinson — 57 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1960–1971 with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs franchise, 57 interceptions, 741 interception return yards, Super Bowl IV champion, AFL All-Time Team and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety.
Johnny Robinson ranks second in Chiefs career interceptions with 57, only one behind Emmitt Thomas. He was one of the greatest safeties of the AFL era and a central piece of Kansas City’s early defensive identity.
Robinson started his career as an offensive player before becoming an elite defensive back. Once he moved to safety, he became one of the most reliable turnover creators in pro football.
His place near the top of the leaderboard shows how important he was to the Dallas Texans and early Kansas City Chiefs. The fact that he is still only one interception off the franchise record makes his legacy even stronger.
3. Deron Cherry — 50 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1981–1991 with Kansas City, 50 interceptions, 688 interception return yards, 6 Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections and Chiefs Hall of Fame safety.
Deron Cherry ranks third with 50 interceptions. He was one of the best safeties of the 1980s and one of the most complete defensive backs in Chiefs history.
Cherry combined range, instincts and physicality. He could cover deep, attack the football and deliver big hits, which made him a problem for opposing quarterbacks and receivers.
His 50 interceptions put him in rare company. The only Chiefs players ahead of him are Thomas and Robinson, which is exactly the kind of company a franchise-great safety belongs with.
4. Gary Barbaro — 39 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1976–1982 with Kansas City, 39 interceptions, 771 interception return yards, 3 interception return touchdowns and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Gary Barbaro ranks fourth in Chiefs career interceptions with 39. His prime was shorter than several names around him, but his production was outstanding.
Barbaro was a rangy safety with excellent ball skills. He found the football often and became one of the most productive defensive backs of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
His interception return numbers also stand out. Barbaro did not just pick passes off; he created field position and scoring chances after the takeaway.
5. Albert Lewis — 38 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1983–1993 with Kansas City, 38 interceptions, 329 interception return yards, multiple Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro honors and Chiefs Hall of Fame cornerback.
Albert Lewis ranks fifth with 38 interceptions. He was a long, physical cornerback who gave Kansas City one of the best coverage defenders in franchise history.
Lewis was not just a ballhawk. He could match up with top receivers, tackle in space and impact special teams as one of the NFL’s greatest kick-blocking defensive backs.
His all-around game made him one of the most respected Chiefs defenders of the Marty Schottenheimer era. The interception total keeps him high on the leaderboard, but his real value went well beyond picks.
6. Bobby Hunt — 37 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1962–1967 with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs franchise, 37 interceptions, 674 interception return yards and 1 interception return touchdown.
Bobby Hunt ranks sixth in Chiefs career interceptions with 37. He was another key defensive back from the franchise’s AFL years.
Hunt had strong instincts and produced takeaways at a high rate during the early part of Kansas City football history. His ball production helped the franchise build one of the AFL’s best defenses.
His 37 interceptions still keep him firmly inside the top 10 more than half a century later. That kind of staying power is exactly why the Texans era needs to be included in Chiefs franchise history.
7. Kevin Ross — 30 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1984–1993 and 1997 with Kansas City, 30 interceptions, 551 interception return yards, 2 interception return touchdowns and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Kevin Ross ranks seventh on the Chiefs all-time interceptions list with 30. He was a tough, physical cornerback and one of the defining defensive players of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Ross brought competitiveness and edge to the Kansas City secondary. He could cover, tackle and make plays on the ball, which made him a key part of strong Chiefs defenses.
His return to Kansas City later in his career adds to his franchise connection, but his prime years already made him a Chiefs defensive standout.
8. Greg Wesley — 29 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 2000–2008 with Kansas City, 29 interceptions, 542 interception return yards and 6 sacks.
Greg Wesley ranks eighth with 29 interceptions. He was one of the Chiefs’ top defensive backs during the early 2000s.
Wesley had a nose for the football and became a regular takeaway threat from the safety position. He also added value as a downhill defender and occasional blitzer.
His 29 interceptions place him ahead of several bigger-name Chiefs defenders on this specific leaderboard. That makes him one of the more underrated names in Kansas City’s defensive record book.
9. Willie Lanier — 27 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1967–1977 with Kansas City, 27 interceptions, 440 interception return yards, 2 interception return touchdowns, Super Bowl IV champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.
Willie Lanier ranks ninth with 27 interceptions, an incredible total for a middle linebacker. He was the leader of one of the most important defenses in franchise history.
Lanier’s instincts were elite. He controlled the middle of the field, diagnosed plays quickly and had enough coverage ability to punish quarterbacks who challenged him.
His interception total is one more reminder that Lanier was not just a physical linebacker. He was a complete defensive force who could affect the run game, passing game and leadership of the entire defense.
10. Bobby Bell — 26 Interceptions
Kansas City Chiefs Stats & Accolades: 1963–1974 with Kansas City, 26 interceptions, 479 interception return yards, 6 interception return touchdowns, Super Bowl IV champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.
Bobby Bell rounds out the top 10 with 26 interceptions. Like Lanier, he was a Hall of Fame linebacker whose coverage ability made him far more than a run defender.
Bell could rush, cover, tackle and score. His six interception return touchdowns show how dangerous he was after creating a turnover.
His place on this list gives Kansas City two Hall of Fame linebackers inside the franchise’s top 10 interceptions leaders. That is rare and speaks to how athletic those early Chiefs defenses were.
Biggest Takeaways From the Chiefs Interceptions List
The biggest takeaway is how close the race is at the very top. Emmitt Thomas leads with 58 interceptions, but Johnny Robinson is right behind him with 57.
The second takeaway is the strength of Kansas City’s AFL-era defense. Thomas, Robinson, Hunt, Lanier and Bell all played major roles in building the franchise’s early defensive identity.
The third takeaway is how unusual this leaderboard is by position. Defensive backs dominate, but two Hall of Fame linebackers — Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell — also finished inside the top 10.
Full Ranking Table: Kansas City Chiefs All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Note: This table is sorted by regular-season interceptions recorded with the Chiefs franchise only. Dallas Texans franchise history is included.
| Rank | Player | Position | Chiefs Years | Interceptions | INT Yards | INT TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmitt Thomas | CB | 1966–1978 | 58 | 937 | 5 |
| 2 | Johnny Robinson | S | 1960–1971 | 57 | 741 | 1 |
| 3 | Deron Cherry | S | 1981–1991 | 50 | 688 | 1 |
| 4 | Gary Barbaro | S | 1976–1982 | 39 | 771 | 3 |
| 5 | Albert Lewis | CB | 1983–1993 | 38 | 329 | 0 |
| 6 | Bobby Hunt | S | 1962–1967 | 37 | 674 | 1 |
| 7 | Kevin Ross | CB | 1984–1993, 1997 | 30 | 551 | 2 |
| 8 | Greg Wesley | S | 2000–2008 | 29 | 542 | 0 |
| 9 | Willie Lanier | LB | 1967–1977 | 27 | 440 | 2 |
| 10 | Bobby Bell | LB | 1963–1974 | 26 | 479 | 6 |
| 11 | Gary Green | CB | 1977–1983 | 24 | 330 | 1 |
| 12 | Jim Kearney | S | 1967–1975 | 23 | 462 | 5 |
| 13 | Lloyd Burruss | S | 1981–1991 | 22 | 509 | 4 |
| 14 | Dale Carter | CB | 1992–1998 | 21 | 183 | 1 |
| 14 | James Hasty | CB | 1995–2000 | 21 | 304 | 3 |
| 16 | Mike Sensibaugh | S | 1971–1975 | 20 | 331 | 0 |
| 16 | Eric Warfield | CB | 1998–2005 | 20 | 236 | 3 |
| 16 | Duane Wood | DB | 1960–1964 | 20 | 247 | 1 |
| 19 | Dave Grayson | DB | 1961–1964 | 19 | 309 | 1 |
| 19 | Marcus Peters | CB | 2015–2018 | 19 | 480 | 2 |
| 21 | Brandon Flowers | CB | 2008–2014 | 17 | 344 | 3 |
| 21 | Eric Harris | S | 1980–1982 | 17 | 229 | 1 |
| 21 | Jim Lynch | LB | 1967–1977 | 17 | 191 | 1 |
| 24 | Willie Mitchell | CB | 1964–1970 | 16 | 302 | 3 |
| 25 | Jerome Woods | S | 1996–2007 | 15 | 282 | 2 |
FAQ: Kansas City Chiefs All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Who has the most interceptions in Kansas City Chiefs history?
Emmitt Thomas has the most interceptions in Kansas City Chiefs history with 58 regular-season interceptions.
Who is second in Chiefs career interceptions?
Johnny Robinson ranks second in Chiefs career interceptions with 57 interceptions.
Who is third in Kansas City Chiefs all-time interceptions?
Deron Cherry ranks third with 50 interceptions for Kansas City.
Which Chiefs linebacker has the most interceptions?
Willie Lanier has the most interceptions among Chiefs linebackers on this leaderboard with 27 interceptions.
Which Chiefs player has the most interception return touchdowns?
Bobby Bell has the most interception return touchdowns among players in this table with 6 INT return TDs.
Where does Marcus Peters rank in Chiefs interceptions?
Marcus Peters is tied for 19th in Chiefs career interceptions with 19 interceptions.
Are playoff interceptions included in this Chiefs ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season interceptions with the Chiefs franchise only. Playoff interceptions are not included.
Does this Chiefs list include Dallas Texans franchise stats?
Yes. The Chiefs franchise began as the Dallas Texans, so Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs franchise totals are included.
Conclusion: Emmitt Thomas Still Leads the Chiefs Interceptions List
Emmitt Thomas remains the Kansas City Chiefs all-time interceptions leader with 58 picks. Johnny Robinson is right behind him with 57, while Deron Cherry is the only other Chiefs defender to reach 50 interceptions.
This leaderboard shows how deep Kansas City’s defensive history really is. The top 10 includes Hall of Fame defensive backs, elite safeties, lockdown corners and two Hall of Fame linebackers in Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell.
For Chiefs fans, the top of the interceptions list still belongs to Emmitt Thomas. His ball skills, return production and long-term consistency still define the franchise record book.
More Chiefs and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our Kansas City Chiefs all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best Kansas City Chiefs players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our related Chiefs pages for best Kansas City Chiefs defensive players of all-time, Kansas City Chiefs all-time sacks leaders, Kansas City Chiefs all-time passing yards leaders, Kansas City Chiefs all-time rushing yards leaders and Kansas City Chiefs all-time receiving yards leaders.
For broader NFL history, check out our best NFL defensive players of all-time ranking and the NFL team all-time player rankings hub. You can also follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
