How KC Chiefs center Creed Humphrey is making ‘awfully rare’ immediate impact as rookie
Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck knows from experience what it takes to play the position in the NFL.
Heck spent 12 seasons in the league from 1989 to 2000 as a tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears and Washington. He then transitioned to coaching, working with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003 before assuming his current post with the Chiefs in 2013.
So when Heck draws from his deep background as a player and coach to offer his opinion about how infrequently rookie centers like the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey are able to make an immediate impact, it makes sense to take note.
“It has seemed awfully rare to me,” Heck said. “You start with good people who love football, and so there’s going to be different learning curves that go on there. We’ve had some good people and good football players that love football here.
“I’ve had the privilege to coach a few of them, and Creed is among the best of that group right there.”
Humphrey, the Chiefs’ second of two second-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, left Oklahoma early because he felt he was ready mentally and physically to compete at the next level.
The Chiefs agreed first by selecting him, and then through subsequent actions. It didn’t take long for them to realize what they had in the former Sooner, inserting him into the starting lineup as early as organized team activities (OTAs). And he hasn’t left since.
Through 10 games, Humphrey ranks as one of the top-rated centers in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I’ve heard that,” Humphrey said. “It really just shows how good of a unit we’ve been so far with having guys like Joe (Thuney) by me, Trey (Smith) by me. Everybody has been working together well, and that’s the biggest thing for us. So that’s more a reflection of just how well we work together.”
Humphrey, who has played all 721 snaps by the Chiefs’ offense this season, is operating at a level beyond his years. As the center, he’s the quarterback of an offensive line that’s currently comprised of left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., left guard Thuney, rookie right guard Trey and right tackle Andrew Wylie.
Humphrey and Smith, both 22 years of age, are the youngest members of that veteran group. And Smith, too, is enjoying a tremendous season. They make up for their inexperience as pros by approaching their job with a veteran’s mindset.
For Humphrey, experience gained from making calls about protection schemes at the line, and seeing more defensive looks, has aided in his development.
“He just feels more comfortable,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “I mean, he’s played good the entire season, but I think he’s seen more and more defenses, he’s seen more and more pressures and blitzes, and he understands what we’re trying to do as an offense.
“That center position is kind of like the quarterback. You get more comfortable with the more snaps you get, and so now he can let his talent be shown. He can go out there and be who he is because he has a (comfort) with the offense.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid agreed.
“He’s done a nice job with it,” Reid said. “He’s intelligent, he’s football intelligent, which is important, and then he’s a good player.
“He’s got great balance and strength, so he fits right in. … He doesn’t talk much, period, but he does a great job with the calls and gets done what he needs to get done. When he does speak up, people listen. He’s got the guys’ respect.”
After the Chiefs signed veteran center Austin Blythe during free agency, observers outside the organization might have been astonished to see them turn to an inexperienced rookie to man such an important position.
The Chiefs’ faith in Humphrey, however, is paying off. The rookie center always believed he could make a difference, if given the opportunity.
“I’m not really too surprised by it,” he said. “It’s kind of really what I knew I could do. I have confidence in my abilities, confidence in my work ethic. If I didn’t think I could make an impact, I wouldn’t have left college.”
The Chiefs are glad Humphrey decided to take the plunge.
