ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — They entered the NFL together, they became starters together and they became two-time champions together.
After joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021, center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith emerged as two of the team’s most important fundamental players, helping quarterback Patrick Mahomes launch a new chapter in his storied career.
The last significant game Mahomes played without Humphrey and Smith was Super Bowl LV, when the Chiefs’ improvised offensive line, which was the product of numerous injuries that season, crumbled in the face of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ All-Star-caliber group of pass rushers. The Buccaneers’ relentless pressure prevented the Chiefs from scoring a touchdown, and Mahomes was forced to scramble numerous times. According to Next Gen Stats, he ran 497 yards before releasing the ball, which was the most yards any quarterback had run before a throw or before a sack in any game that season.
A few months later, the Chiefs, under general manager Brett Veach, made improving the offensive line their top priority. Smith was selected in the sixth round, and Humphrey in the second.
Following the rebuilding of their interior defense around Mahomes, which included the signing of left guard Joe Thuney in free agency, the Chiefs have emerged as the newest dynasty in the league. The Chiefs hope to win a record third straight Super Bowl this season, as they are the first team in twenty years to win back-to-back titles. Smith and Humphrey have been key players in the Chiefs’ success, starting every one of the team’s ten postseason games over the last three years.
“It’s something that we both dreamed of, and to be able to do it two years in a row, it’s almost unthinkable,” Humphrey said of celebrating the Chiefs’ comeback victory in Super Bowl LVIII with Smith, one his closest friends on the team. “It was crazy, it was awesome and we gave each other a big hug. It’s been fun to be able to do this with him throughout the past three years and hopefully many more.”
Smith and Humphrey hope that this is not their last season together. According to Over The Cap, Humphrey will get $4.8 million this season while Smith will make $3.37 million. Both are nearing the end of their rookie contracts.
The Chiefs will try to sign Humphrey and Smith to lucrative contract extensions over the course of the next month, prior to the season opener on September 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. This is a goal that Veach has not accomplished at this time of year in the past six seasons during his career.
“Your hope is that everybody gets paid,” Mahomes said. “I tell Veach all the time: ‘You draft too well.’ It’s a good problem to have. I’m excited for those guys and it all gets handled in the right way. The hope is to keep this core together. I’ll have that flexibility in my contract to help get them some money as much as possible.”
Straight A’s for the interior o-line 👏 @EAMaddenNFL pic.twitter.com/DmMJlY9BxP
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 31, 2024
The Chiefs are interested in signing linebacker Nick Bolton, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and kicker Harrison Butker, who is entering the final year of his contract, to multiyear extensions in addition to Humphrey and Smith.
“They are three really good players and they’re fantastic people,” Veach said of Humphrey, Smith and Bolton. “Throughout this camp, hopefully, we’re able to get more than one done. It’s just going to be a systematic approach and exchange of communication. We would want nothing more than for them to be here (long-term) and I’m sure they would want nothing more than to be here.”
Keeping Humphrey and Smith on staff seems to be the Chiefs’ top objective as they attempt to maintain Mahomes’ excellent protection.
The majority of evaluators, including FTN Network’s chief analytics officer and creator of DVOA Aaron Schatz, think the Chiefs have the league’s top trio of interior offensive linemen. Humphrey, 25, excels in pass protection and has never missed a game in his career. Smith, 25, is renowned for his relentless run-blocking skills and has only missed one game in his professional career.
“Creed and I have known each other since sophomore year of high school, so we’ve always been friends,” Smith said. “To be able to play with a guy and to have that continuity and chemistry together, it makes our jobs a lot easier. There’s a lot of things we don’t have to verbalize (before the ball is snapped). It’s been a huge help and it’s easy when you’re playing next to a talented player.”
An argument may be made that the Chiefs should try to sign Humphrey to an extension first, given the market prices for both positions.
Before he retired last season, Jason Kelce, the former All-Pro center for the Philadelphia Eagles, made an average of $14.5 million each year. After signing a four-year, $54 million contract in 2021, Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions is the highest-paid player at his position. If Humphrey accepts an extension with the Chiefs, his deal is anticipated to be greater.
Despite a few slip-ups in his snap exchange with Mahomes, Humphrey had excellent blocking abilities throughout the Chiefs’ four-game postseason run. Humphrey only gave up two pressures in 288 snaps of play without receiving a penalty or giving up a sack. Last year, Smith only gave up two sacks during the regular season and improved throughout the postseason. His only transgression was that he was flagged for three penalties, none of which happened during the Super Bowl, while not giving up a single sack or QB hit.
“It’s been awesome just to continue to grow our relationship and we’re like-minded guys,” Humphrey said of Smith. “We both strive to be better and to keep working to where we’re the best that we can be. We watch so much film, we have this great understanding of what to expect that we don’t have to communicate so much.”
KC – Football season is almost here, and we’re upping the ante this year with not one but TWO of your favorite Offensive Linemen. That’s right, we’ve partnered with @creed_humphrey and @treysmith to bring you Game Day specials (and more) all season long! pic.twitter.com/KGOVHlujHp
— Jack Stack Barbecue (@jackstackbbq) August 31, 2023
The Chiefs’ offensive line was on full display during their overtime walk-off touchdown drive against the San Francisco 49ers, which won the game. Mahomes was only hit once in the 13-play sequence, even without Thuney, who was sidelined due to a pectoral injury. Humphrey and Smith missed the final pass of the season when Mahomes found receiver Mecole Hardman for a simple three-yard touchdown. They were actually in the process of obstructing.
“In my opinion, in watching the tape, that is the best interior in football,” defensive tackle Mike Pennel, a 10-year veteran, said following Sunday’s practice. “The run blocking that Trey, Joe and Creed offer, that’s unlike any other combo in this league. In training camp, I’m seeing the hardest run(-blocking) combinations — gap schemes and stretches and zone (blocking).
“It’s a huge advantage (for me), and I’m excited to see how that’ll play out in the regular season.”
However, the Chiefs may have to pay more to negotiate Smith’s retention. If Smith performs well this season and the Chiefs are unable to reach an agreement with him, he may be the top free agent at his position in the spring of 2019 and could earn an average salary of more than $20 million year if he limits his number of penalties. Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons is the highest-paid right guard in the NFL, earning $20.5 million on average a year.
“I don’t look at all that stuff, man,” Smith said. “I worry about what my coaches tell me, how they feel about me. If I do my job at a high level, everything else is going to take care of itself. I just have to keep working.”
.@Chiefs @treysmith back to back Super Bowl Champions and Trey is here @OLMasterminds teaching the next generation and learning from the veterans. Championship Mentality. #ChiefsKingdom #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/MPUVyWC7bf
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) July 12, 2024
Humphrey and Smith spent a week together at the annual OL Masterminds summit in Frisco, Texas, prior to the start of the Chiefs’ camp last month. This event has grown to be one of the top opportunities for offensive lineman in the NFL and college to receive training and knowledge exchange. Several lineman attended the event and watched a DVD showing how well Humphrey and Smith collaborated to block bull rushes and other tricks from defensive linemen in order to shield Mahomes’ pocket.
To properly explain and demonstrate their blocking approaches, Humphrey and Smith each held a breakout session for collegiate lineman at their respective positions.
“I remember when I first went there, and I was just hungry to get any information,” Smith said, smiling. “I looked up to guys like Brandon Brooks. Seeing college players come up to you and asking questions and imparting your knowledge and wisdom to them to progress the game in the right direction, it was really cool. I was honored by that.”
Humphrey and Smith’s latest assignment started in camp. In order to help rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia get ready for his NFL debut, they have dedicated time after practice. The Chiefs selected Suamataia in the second round with the expectation that he would follow in the footsteps of Humphrey and Smith in 2021 by joining the league and making a significant impact right away.
Regarding their futures, however, Humphrey and Smith realize that staying in Kansas City with Mahomes may be the best course of action for each of them.
“I want to do what’s best for me and best for him,” Humphrey said. “If we can continue going, we will. That would be great. We’ve been able to do so much over the past three years. To continue that would be really fun.”
(Photo: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)
