Chiefs’ center Creed Humphrey waits on a historic NFL honor after standing out in a difficult season

The Kansas City Chiefs expected much more from the 2025 season, but things unraveled fast. Injuries mounted, performances dipped, and a 6-11 record pushed the franchise out of the playoffs for the first time in over ten years. However, one cannot deny that Creed Humphrey always delivered and did not stumble, despite where the team ended up. At just 26 years old, Humphrey is now being recognized for the work that he put in. An ESPN insider recently reported that Humphrey has now been officially nominated for the NFL’s first-ever Protector of the Year Award, a new honor created to shine light on offensive linemen who dominate without much fanfare.As ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported, “Chiefs center Creed Humphrey is a nominee for the NFL's protector of the year award, per league source.” That nomination alone places Humphrey in rare company and reflects how respected his play has become around the league. Humphrey earned First-Team All-Pro honors for the second straight year, becoming the only Chiefs player to receive that recognition in 2025. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl Games alongside Chris Jones and Trey Smith. Before Mahomes went down, Humphrey served as his main protector, anchoring an offensive line that helped keep the offense functional despite roster turnover. His impact in that role is exactly what the new award is designed to spotlight.According to the NFL, the Protector of the Year Award “honors individual excellence and spotlights offensive linemen, whose contributions are often overlooked in the highlight-driven nature of football.” Humphrey faces stiff competition from Garett Bolles, Aaron Brewer, Quinn Meinerz, Joe Thuney, and Penei Sewell. It is a strong group of finalists, which only adds weight to the nomination. The winner will be announced during NFL Honors on February 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, just days before Super Bowl Sunday.