In the world of professional sports, recognition is often reserved for the flashiest players—the quarterbacks who throw for 5,000 yards, the receivers who make one-handed catches, or the edge rushers who rack up double-digit sacks. But football, more than any other sport, is a game built on the foundation of unsung heroes. The offensive line, often overlooked in highlight reels and MVP conversations, is the backbone of every successful offense. And within that unit, the center is the quarterback of the trenches, the silent orchestrator who makes everything click. This season, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has rightfully named Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs the best center in the league, and it’s time to give him the credit he deserves.
### The Underappreciated Role of a Center
Before diving into Humphrey’s excellence, it’s important to understand just how vital the center position is. The center isn’t just responsible for snapping the ball—though that in itself is a critical task, especially in shotgun-heavy offenses. He must also diagnose defensive fronts, call out protections, and make split-second adjustments to stunts and blitzes. On top of that, he has to hold his ground against some of the most powerful defensive tackles in the game, often without help from guards. A great center makes everyone around him better, and a bad one can derail an entire offense.
Despite this, centers rarely receive the accolades they deserve. They don’t have stat sheets that jump off the page. Their contributions are measured in pancakes, clean pockets, and the absence of negative plays—things that often go unnoticed unless something goes wrong. That’s why PFF’s recognition of Humphrey as the league’s best is so significant. It’s a nod to the importance of elite interior offensive line play and a testament to just how dominant Humphrey has been since entering the league.
### Creed Humphrey’s Rapid Rise to Dominance
Humphrey’s ascent to the top of his position has been nothing short of remarkable. Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, he was expected to be a solid contributor, but few could have predicted he would become the best at his position in just three seasons. From Day 1, Humphrey played with the poise and technique of a veteran. He allowed zero sacks as a rookie, an almost unheard-of feat for a first-year center, and he quickly established himself as one of the most reliable blockers in the game.
What makes Humphrey special isn’t just his physical ability—though his strength and agility are elite—but his football IQ. He processes defenses at an elite level, rarely getting caught out of position or missing assignments. His ability to anchor against bull rushes and his lateral quickness in handling stunts have made him a nightmare for opposing defensive tackles. Even in a league filled with freakish athletes along the defensive interior, Humphrey has consistently held his own against the best of the best.
### The PFF Verdict: Why Humphrey Stands Above the Rest
PFF’s grading system is one of the most respected analytical tools in football, and their assessment of Humphrey as the league’s top center isn’t based on reputation—it’s backed by cold, hard data. In 2023, Humphrey posted a 90.0 overall grade, the highest among all centers, with elite marks in both pass protection and run blocking. He allowed just one sack all season and was a driving force behind the Chiefs’ ability to maintain offensive consistency despite injuries at other positions along the line.
What’s even more impressive is that Humphrey has been this good since his rookie year. Many young offensive linemen take time to adjust to the speed and power of NFL defensive linemen, but Humphrey hit the ground running and hasn’t slowed down. His consistency is unparalleled—game after game, he delivers at an All-Pro level, making him the gold standard at his position.
### The Impact on the Chiefs’ Offense
The Kansas City Chiefs have been one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL for years, and while Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce rightfully receive much of the praise, Creed Humphrey’s presence in the middle has been a stabilizing force. The Chiefs’ offense relies heavily on timing and precision, and Mahomes’ ability to operate from a clean pocket is crucial. Humphrey’s ability to handle interior pressure without help allows the Chiefs to focus their protection schemes on the edges, giving Mahomes the time he needs to work his magic.
Additionally, Humphrey’s dominance in the run game has helped the Chiefs develop a more balanced attack. Isiah Pacheco’s breakout season in 2023 was due in no small part to the massive lanes created by Humphrey and the interior line. A strong running game is essential for keeping defenses honest, and Humphrey’s ability to move defenders off the ball has been a key component of Kansas City’s offensive success.
### The Case for More Recognition
Despite his elite play, Humphrey has yet to become a household name outside of hardcore football circles. That’s partly due to the nature of his position—centers simply don’t get the same spotlight as skill players—but it’s also a reflection of how underappreciated offensive line play is in general. While quarterbacks and receivers dominate MVP discussions, the big men in the trenches are often an afterthought in awards voting.
Humphrey’s PFF ranking is a step in the right direction, but he deserves even more recognition. He should be in the conversation for All-Pro honors every year, and if the NFL ever brings back the Offensive Lineman of the Year award (which it should), Humphrey would be a perennial candidate. The Chiefs know his value—they locked him up with a contract extension that makes him one of the highest-paid centers in the league—but the broader NFL audience should appreciate just how dominant he is.
### Conclusion: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes
Creed Humphrey’s recognition as the best center in the NFL is a win for offensive linemen everywhere. It’s a reminder that football is won in the trenches, and that the players who do the dirty work deserve just as much credit as the ones who score the touchdowns. Humphrey’s combination of intelligence, technique, and raw power makes him the model of what a modern center should be, and his impact on the Chiefs’ success cannot be overstated.
As fans, analysts, and even players, we should make a conscious effort to give credit where it’s due. The next time Patrick Mahomes escapes pressure and launches a 50-yard bomb, take a second to appreciate the block that gave him that extra half-second. The next time Isiah Pacheco bursts through a hole for a big gain, remember the center who created the lane. Creed Humphrey may not be the flashiest player on the field, but he’s undoubtedly one of the best—and it’s time everyone knew it.
