CMA Awards 2023: 10 Chiefs Midseason Arrowhead Awards

The Chiefs are officially at the midway point in the season, capping off a 7-2 start with a 21-14 win over the Dolphins in Germany.

In honor of the CMA Awards 2023 this week, we decided to dish out some hardware of our own: the 2023 Chiefs Midseason Arrowhead Awards!

We'll name traditional award winners, like the Chiefs' MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year. Still, we've also got some KC Kingdom originals, such as the "Taylor Swift Entertainer of the Year" and a couple of surprises.

Here are our 10 inaugural recipients of the 2023 Chiefs Midseason Arrowhead Awards:

CMA Awards 2023: 10 Chiefs Midseason Arrowhead Awards (inspired by Taylor Swift)

1. Chiefs MVP - Trent McDuffie, CB

With respect to Patrick Mahomes, L'Jarius Sneed, and George Karlaftis, Trent McDuffie's superstar breakout has been the story of the 2023 season.

McDuffie has the second-most tackles on the team (50) with four deflected passes and a team-leading four forced fumbles, routinely making game-changing plays to flip the script of games in critical moments.

The 2022 first-round pick has been EVERYWHERE defensively while being perhaps the most physical tackler of any cornerback in the league.

Kansas City's defense is allowing just 15.9 points per game (2nd in the NFL) and 176 passing yards per game (4th) as McDuffie and Sneed established themselves as the league's best corner duo.

McDuffie has been a menace harassing QBs as well, recording five QB knockdowns and six pressures on top of his spectacular work in the secondary.

The story of the season is the defense, and McDuffie has been the sun around which the rest of the unit orbits. He's the Chiefs' MVP through nine weeks.

2. Chiefs Offensive Player of the Year - Patrick Mahomes, QB

It's rather fitting that we can all agree Patrick Mahomes isn't playing his best football, yet he's still the betting favorite to win NFL MVP captaining an offense that ranks fourth in the league in yards per play (5.7).

Mahomes is on pace for 4,613 passing yards with a 68.6% completion percentage and 32 TDs to 15 interceptions. That's a down year by his ridiculous standards, but he gets the nod for this CMA Award because of how he's transformed his game to fit the Chiefs' needs.

He's utilizing his legs more than ever before, pacing for 487 rushing yards with countless long runs late in games to seal wins.

Mahomes' career-high in rushing is 387 yards, so he should blow that out of the water. I still firmly believe in his ability to put up points with his arm, though it's been beautiful to watch him extend drives with his legs as well.

It's impossible to give Mahomes the Chiefs' MVP overall, given the outstanding play of the defense, but this offense is in better shape than most fans believe.

Once Mahomes and the offense starts clicking again, watch out. For now, he's the Chiefs' Offensive Player of the Year.

3. Chiefs Defensive Player of the Year - George Karlaftis, DE

I nearly gave Karlaftis the MVP award, which is a testament to Brett Veach's incredible haul in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He took Karlaftis just eight picks after McDuffie, laying the foundation for the Chiefs' defense for years to come.

Karlaftis has been one of the NFL's best pass rushers by any conceivable measure, and his improvement may change Kansas City's long-term plans. I'm not sure anyone expected him to be this good, this quickly.

The man they call "Furious George" leads the Chiefs in sacks (6) and is tied for eighth in the entire NFL in pressures (23), already eclipsing his pressure total from last season (21).

He's been outstanding for an elite defense, even outperforming Chris Jones over the course of the year.

Karlaftis is pacing above the other pass rushers from his draft class and ranks among the most-accomplished, highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.

If he keeps this up, Karlaftis will be in line for a contract exceeding $100 million within a couple of years.

Now, let's get into some fun awards, shall we?

4. The "Shake it Off" Chiefs Warrior of the Year Award - Travis Kelce, TE

It's been quite a year for Travis Kelce, who suddenly became one of the faces of the NFL and American sports at large following his developing romance with Taylor Swift.

He missed Week 1 with an injury and battled various ailments throughout the year, though he's been a warrior and is still producing at an elite level in his age-34 season.

Kelce just became the Chiefs' all-time leading receiver, amassing 597 yards on 57 catches and four TDs on the season.

He's been a vocal leader on and off the field, taking responsibility for his mistakes while pressuring teammates to play better on offense.

We can be confident in the Chiefs' prospects moving forward largely due to Kelce's brilliance and consistent leadership.

For my money, Kelce is the greatest Chief in history. He's well-deserving of the very first "Shake it Off" Chiefs Warrior award.

5. The "You Belong With Me" Chiefs Player of the Year - L'Jarius Sneed, CB

I entered the season expecting the Chiefs to part ways with Sneed after the year, with McDuffie's emergence and Sneed's impending contract negotiations.

Now? Resigning Sneed is my biggest priority for the defense. He's been one of the very best defensive players in the NFL, smothering opposing receivers every single week.

After all, I confidently predicted a poor game from Tyreek Hill because of Sneed and was proven correct! That says it all.

Sneed is allowing a passer rating of just 59.1 when targeted in coverage while displaying his normal versatile skills, notching 42 tackles, three pressures, three QB knockdowns, a fumble recovery and an interception.

I was wrong, L'Jarius. You belong with me. You belong with us.

You belong with the Chiefs.

6. The "Taylor Swift Entertainer of the Year" - Isiah Pacheco, RB

Swift was the youngest "Entertainer of the Year" award winner ever, so it's fitting that Pacheco has been the most entertaining Chief to watch at only 24 years of age.

The 2022 seventh-round pick has transformed his game, turning into a dependable weapon as a pass-catcher while churning out yards with an explosive rushing style that's a blast to witness.

What a fun player! Pacheco has 525 rushing yards (8th in NFL) and three rushing TDs with 160 receiving yards and a score through the air as well, but his aggressive style wears down defenses and gives Kansas City an edge.

He ranks third in the NFL in broken tackles (16) and seems to get better as the game goes on.

I'd like to see the coaching staff lean on him more, as Pacheco has made the most of every opportunity so far this year.

7. "Love Story" Breakout Player of the Year - Rashee Rice, WR

Taylor Swift's lyrics are poetic for Rice.

"We were both young when I first saw you. I close my eyes and the flashback starts, I'm standing there...Little did I know."

That's exactly how I felt when rookie sensation Rashee Rice scored the Chiefs' first TD of the season, the first in a long line of terrific plays he's made through nine weeks.

Little did I know, Rice would quickly become not only the Chiefs' most effective receiver, but one of the NFL's best overall.

It was obvious within a few weeks that Rice was special, though he's continued to show a thrilling combination of burst and physicality. He's got a lot to learn, but the kid's potential is through the roof.

Rice has 32 catches for 378 yards and 4 TDs, leading ALL NFL WR's in yards after catch per target (8.2).

With Skyy Moore's ongoing struggles, Rice's immediate success is an important a development as any for this team.

He's the breakout player of the year. As the conductor of the Rashee Rice Hype Train, I can't wait to read the next chapter in this love story.

8. The "Don't Blame Me" Reliable Chiefs Player of the Year - Harrison Butker, K

We know that Kansas City's offense is struggling, but we certainly can't blame Butker.

After making just 75% of his field goals last year, Butker is a perfect 18-18 while drilling all 22 of his extra points.

Even in the embarrassing loss to the Broncos, Butker was responsible for all nine Chiefs points in an unblemished 3-for-3 day.

Chiefs fans know Butker is good, but his borderline-historic accuracy gives Kansas City's offense a chance to put up points on every possession.

For an offense that ranks just 15th in red-zone TD efficiency, Butker's consistency keeps the team afloat.

A lot of Chiefs deserve blame on offense, but Butker can smile knowing he's been perfect. He won't say it out loud, but I imagine he's humming "Don't Blame Me" on every failed Kansas City drive.

9. The "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" Chiefs Player of the Year - Chris Jones, DE

Jones' lengthy holdout stretched into the season as his team negotiated for a massive contract extension that never came. He eventually joined the Chiefs on a one-year deal, but it's become clear this is his final season in Kansas City.

This isn't an indictment of Jones' performance. He has 5.5 sacks with three deflected passes and 18 QB pressures, consistently drawing double-teams and making other defenders' jobs easier.

That being said, Karlaftis and McDuffie's breakouts change the calculus moving forward. Brett Veach should prioritize a younger defensive core, leaving Jones as the odd man out.

Jones hasn't helped himself in recent weeks. His unacceptable personal foul late against the Dolphins immediately led to a TD and his overall box score impact hasn't been significant.

He's one of the greatest Chiefs ever, so let's enjoy this final few months. It pains me to say, Chris, but we are never ever ever getting back together.

10. The "Paper Rings" Offseason Chiefs Signing of the Year - Drue Tranquill, LB

Tranquill joined the Chiefs on a one-year deal for under $5 million, though he's been one of the most impactful players on the defense.

He leads the Chiefs in tackles (54) with 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, filling in for Nick Bolton as the leader of the linebacking room following Bolton's dislocated wrist.

Especially given Bolton's impending free agency, I want Tranquill here for the long haul and hope Veach signs him to an extension.

He's dependable in pass coverage, puts pressure on the quarterback and provides protection in the run game. What more can you ask for?

Who knew that when Tranquill put pen to paper back in March that he'd be the championship signing of the offseason? Go ahead and give the Chiefs their rings now.

You've read all 10 of our inaugural Chiefs Midseason Arrowhead Award winners and now you'll be rewarded with an INSTANT $200 bonus from DraftKings Sportsbook! If you bet at least $5 (with a $10 deposit) on ANY game this week, you'll INSTANTLY receive $200 in bonus bets win or lose. Sign up for DraftKings now and lock your reward in to celebrate today's awards!

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