One of the frustrating but understood parts of the league is that players under contract negotiate again once the market resets. The Kansas City Chiefs have often opted to part ways with players rather than paying top-of-the-market value, with a few noted exceptions. With this in mind, the Chiefs had to be less than thrilled with the Las Vegas Raiders signing Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million contract with $60 million guaranteed.
This is a rich deal that should help reset the market at the center position and set up Creed Humphrey to demand more money. It would be understandable when you consider Humphrey makes an average of $18 million annually, while Linderbaum's new deal puts the center far ahead at an average of $27 million annually, according to Spotrac. It is a huge gap for a player who has an argument as the league's best center.
Evidence of this for Humphrey is a PFF rating of 88.8, which ranked 1st in the 2025 season among 40 qualifiers. Humphrey allowed just one lone sack in 1,093 offensive snaps played and offered only two penalties in the 2025 season. These are elite numbers that point to the incredible stability from a player who now has an argument as underpaid.
It isn't ideal for the Chiefs as the franchise is already dealing with a tight cap situation. Keeping a dynasty alive in today's tightly capped league is incredibly difficult, and the fact that it has been accomplished points to the creativity of Brett Veach and the Kansas City front office.
Chiefs may be bracing for another costly Creed Humphrey payday
Baked into the possible re-negotiations as well is the fact that Humphrey is a two-time Super Bowl champion and has proven to be durable and consistent at the highest level. The center's team has every reason to attempt to exercise its leverage and get a raise at the end of the 2026 season. This is a bridge that the Chiefs need to be prepared to cross, understanding the importance of Humphrey and the increasing costs of the position.
It gives Kansas City fans at least one viable reason to be annoyed with a Raiders team that hasn't been a viable threat for much of the last decade. The AFC West has turned the franchise into the obvious doormat of the division, and it doesn't appear that this is destined to change anytime soon.
Perhaps this explains why the Raiders would hand out such a highly paid deal that now has a chance to blow back on the Chiefs. One that sets up a frustrating but deserved raise for one of the league's most underrated players.
Add us as a preferred source on Google