Chiefs bye-week awards shift to offense: Who’s their top offensive player & MVP?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs offense rebounds midseason; team ranks sixth in yards, ninth in points
- Patrick Mahomes leads offense; on pace for best season since 2022
- Depth at receiver and stronger interior line boost scoring and protection
With the Chiefs enjoying a well-earned bye week, our KC Star reporters and columnists have been handing out awards for the first half of the 2025 NFL season.
Today we’re looking at the Chiefs’ offense: Who’s their top offensive player and MVP?
So far, it’s been a bounce-back season for Patrick Mahomes and company. KC’s run of five straight games with at least 28 points ended in last week’s loss at Buffalo, but the Chiefs (5-4) still rank sixth in the NFL in yards and ninth in points.
The latter mark is a notable jump from the past two seasons, when they ranked 15th in points.
Today, Star columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian, along with reporters Pete Sweeney, Pete Grathoff and yours truly — Blair Kerkhoff — present our final two bye-week awards before the Chiefs resume play at Denver on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Top offensive player (non-QB): WR Rashee Rice
Votes: Rice (3), Creed Humphrey (2)
After serving his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s conduct policy, Rice picked up where he left off last season. Remember, he was the team’s top target after three games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Rice has 20 catches in three games this fall since. He caught two scoring passes against the Las Vegas Raiders and one against the Washington Commanders and logged his first pro rushing touchdown against the Buffalo Bills from the Wildcat.
Rice has four rushing attempts in 2025. He had one in each of his first two seasons.
And now the Chiefs are at full strength at wide receiver for the first time in two years. The offense should finish with its best numbers since 2022, the second of the franchise’s three recent Super Bowl championship seasons.
Another reason for the renaissance on that side of the ball is the play of the interior line, led by center Creed Humphrey. He’s the NFL’s second-highest-graded offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus.
MVP: QB Patrick Mahomes
Votes: Mahomes (5)
Last season, the Chiefs’ offense operated without its expected firepower.
Rice was lost in the fourth game. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was injured in the first preseason game and missed most of the season. Running back Isiah Pacheco was injured in Week 2 and missed several games. Plus, there was a revolving door at left tackle.
Most of the Chiefs’ top threats have returned this season and the offensive line is in better shape. That’s made a difference in Mahomes’ performance season. He’s back among league leaders in passing yards and touchdowns.
It hasn’t been a perfect season for Mahomes, whose poor decision resulted in a game-changing 99-yard pick-six in the loss at Jacksonville. And the offense took a step back at Buffalo.
But Mahomes is on pace to have his best season since 2022, when he won his second MVP. With the Chiefs currently on the outside of the playoff bracket — they need him to summon the skills that have made him a generational talent.
A record-matching 10th consecutive division title and 11th straight playoff berth are on the line for the Chiefs. It’s time for Mahomes and the playmakers to step up.