Their problems protecting Patrick Mahomes reared their ugly heads in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss. The Philadelphia Eagles sacked him six times, the most in his professional career, on their way to a 40-22 blowout win over the Chiefs.
But this statistic shows that not all is broken with Kansas City’s offensive line.
Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey did not give up a quick pressure in 2024
Creed Humphrey is widely considered the best center in the NFL. Humphrey was named to the NFL’s top 100 at number 93, which fans considered low, and the two-time Super Bowl champion was named First Team All-Pro in 2024.
Humphrey had an incredible record of protecting his quarterback. Even with the Chiefs’ offensive line issues last season which saw Mahomes struggle in the Super Bowl, he did not allow a quick pressure all year.
That means the 26-year-old didn’t allow any pressure on Mahomes in under 2.5 seconds in 653 pass-blocking snaps. Not just sacks, pressures. Mahomes never felt quick heat from the middle of the line.
Getting by Creed Humphrey is not easy 🛑#NFLTop100 | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/2GDzw7xy3s
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) July 3, 2025
It’s clear to see why Andy Reid leaned more on his ground attack than ever before. 2024 saw the highest percentage of running attempts for the Chiefs of any season in the Andy Reid era, and that’s because they could run behind the only center in the top-100.
As much as the Chiefs’ offense ran through Mahomes, it also ran through Humphrey, and he’ll continue to be a pivotal piece moving forward as Kansas City looks to bounce back from their Super Bowl loss.
Kansas City Chiefs move to fix offensive line struggles
The Chiefs entered the offseason with one key focus: fix the offensive line around Humphrey. That was made significantly more challenging by the departure of Joe Thuney, traded to the Chicago Bears.
They spent their first round draft pick, as expected, on tackle Josh Simmons, who Jason Kelce praised, to patch up their line on the outside, and the acquisition of Jaylon Moore in free agency will also help in that regard.
With the tackle positions filled, and guard Trey Smith placed on the franchise tag, all eyes will be on the left guard Kingsley Suamataia, a second round pick in 2024 who was brought in as a tackle.
He’s now been moved to guard to replace Thuney, and that could be a position of weakness next to Humphrey next season.
They made the Super Bowl last year, but the Chiefs will be praying that their offensive line can hold this season as they look to snatch the Vince Lombardi Trophy back from the Eagles.
