Over the Kansas City Chiefs' 2-0 start to the 2026 season, there have been a number of impressive two-game performances by this team's biggest stars. Most notably, though, has been the rushing revelation that Kenneth Walker III has been.
The 25-year-old, before Thursday night's game from Bijan Robinson led the league in rushing yards (290), and total scrimmage yards (369) to go along with seven explosive runs of 10-plus yards and two scores.
And while much of Walker's production is due to his own prowess as a player, credit must be given to the Chiefs' interior offensive line, including guards Kingsley Suamataia and Trey Smith. But it's been center Creed Humphrey who has once again been an elite force at the center position, on track to capture his third straight first-team All-Pro.
Ever since coming into the league as a second-round selection in 2021, Humphrey has been the Chiefs' day-one starter and Patrick Mahomes' most trusted lineman. But over the course of his career, his efforts have been somewhat underutilized and underappreciated, part and parcel of the dread of running back rooms he's had to block for. Now Walker has made his play all the more prominent.
The Chiefs All-Pro center continues to leave his imprint in every game for Kansas City
Through two games, Humphrey ranks second on PFF with an overall grade of 73.2 (out of 100), and has yet to allow a sack, let alone a QB hit or pressure on Mahomes. Humphrey has also stayed uber-clean with zero penalties called on him, which has always been a strength of his throughout his now six-year career.
Humphrey, also according to NextGen Stats, since 2025 (19 games played) has allowed just two quick pressures (sub-2.5 seconds) over more than 200 pass-blocking snaps, best among his position. The stats back it up. Creed Humphrey is not only the best center in football, but it's becoming irrefutable that he's the best overall offensive lineman in the sport.
Now, Humphrey at the center of the Chiefs' aggressive run-first attack has flourished wth a true bell-cow talent in Walker, able to hit the gaps he provides with ease. Heading into Week 3's matchup versus the Miami Dolphins, he should once again have an excellent showing.
Going into the 2026 season, Humphrey was tied for the sixth-best odds to win the league's most recent offensive linemen award, "NFL Protector of the Year," at +2000, which ranked highest among centers by a long shot. No doubt, his exemplary play so far has boosted his stock dramatically and could be just the latest notch on the belt of a growing Hall of Fame career.
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