There has been little for the Kansas City Chiefs to celebrate this postseason following an ACL injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which brought about the end of what was a historic seven-year run for the franchise, but superstar center Creed Humphrey changed that on Thursday.
The NFL announced on January 29 that Humphrey is one of six finalists for a new award it created for offensive linemen following the 2025 campaign.
The award recognizes the NFL’s most outstanding lineman over a single season, chosen by an elite committee of NFL Legends.
“Announcing the finalists for the inaugural Protector of the Year Award,” the league posted to X. “The award recognizes the NFL’s most outstanding lineman over a single season, chosen by an elite committee of NFL Legends.”
Joining Humphrey on the list of finalists are fellow center Aaron Brewer of the Miami Dolphins, tackles Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions and Garrett Boles of the Denver Broncos, and guards Joe Thuney of the Chicago Bears and Quinn Meinerz of the Broncos.
Creed Humphrey Top-Ranked Center in NFL Again Last Season
GettyKansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey.
As a unit, Kansas City dropped only three spots from the No. 7 offensive line in 2024 to the No. 10 group last season, according to Pro Football Focus’s grading system. The Chiefs were able to do so despite losing Thuney to Chicago via an offseason trade that brought back a fourth-round draft pick that will convey in April.
“Despite fielding multiple new pieces, the Chiefs’ offensive line, when healthy, was among the best in the league,” Zoltán Buday of PFF wrote on January 7. “Over the first 12 weeks, Kansas City’s unit ranked second in the NFL in PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating (88.2), having allowed 100 pressures — including 12 sacks — on 475 pass plays.”
Humphrey, now 26 years old, was the anchor of each front-five. He finished this season as PFF’s No. 1-ranked center out of 40 players who saw enough snaps at the position to qualify, ending the campaign with an overall grade of 88.8.
He is a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro over his five-year professional career, including first-team All-Pro selections in 2024 and 2025. Humphrey is under contract with the Chiefs through 2028 on a four-year deal worth $72 million.
Chiefs Struggled at Tackle, as Jawaan Taylor Played Poorly and Josh Simmons Missed Half His Rookie Season
GettyKansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons.
Kansas City has bigger issues on the outside of the offensive line, namely at the right tackle position.
Jawaan Taylor has been the weakest link in the starting lineup in each of the past two years, per PFF. He is entering the final year of his contract in 2026 and may end up cut, as the Chiefs can save $20 million against next year’s salary cap by parting ways with Taylor this offseason.
Trading Taylor, who turns 29 years old in November, offers Kansas City the same savings, though it is unlikely the Chiefs could find a partner anywhere in the league given Taylor’s salary number and his subpar play over the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, left tackle Josh Simmons was a find with the last pick in the first round out of Ohio State in 2025. However, personal issues and then injury problems sidelined him for a total of nine games during his rookie campaign.
“Simmons showed promise at left tackle before his injury,” Buday continued. “Kansas City’s first-round pick posted a 75.5 PFF pass-blocking grade this season, which ranked second among rookie offensive linemen.”
NFL Announces Big News on Star Chiefs Center Creed Humphrey