The Kansas City Chiefs have already bet the franchise on Patrick Mahomes, locking him in with a record-smashing extension. Now, the football world is bracing for a seismic shift up front — one that could redefine how the league values its most unheralded position.
The Center That Could Break the Bank
According to a deep-dive by ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell, the Chiefs’ center, Creed Humphrey, is reportedly on a collision course with history. Insiders say the 26-year-old anchor of the offensive line is poised to become the first player at his position to crack the $30 million per season threshold. That would blow past every previous center contract by a wide margin — and according to sources close to the situation, the Chiefs may have no choice but to ante up.
Humphrey, who is under contract through 2028, is not eligible for an extension just yet. But Barnwell predicts that when the time comes — likely in 2028 — Humphrey will be the one to reset the market. “I would expect both Humphrey and Tyler Linderbaum to be negotiating extensions in 2028,” Barnwell wrote. “Between the two, most NFL observers believe Humphrey to be the better center.”
Why Humphrey Is Worth the Gamble
The numbers are staggering. Humphrey posted an 88.8 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025 — the best among all 40 qualifying centers. His 84.1 run-blocking grade also topped the charts, and his pass-blocking grade was second in the league at 88.5. Since joining the Chiefs in 2021, he has started every single game — all 85 of them — and has been a Pro Bowler every year except his rookie season. He’s also earned back-to-back All-Pro nods and two Super Bowl rings.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Barnwell notes that there are persistent, “annual concerns about Humphrey snapping the ball too low.” Yet the overwhelming consensus among league insiders is that his quickness and ability to handle elite defensive tackles one-on-one make him irreplaceable in Kansas City’s attack. One longtime NFL scout told us, “There’s no one else like him. If the Chiefs let him walk, they’re basically handing Mahomes a ticking time bomb.”
The Ripple Effect
The potential for a $30 million center has the rest of the league buzzing. If Humphrey gets that bag, it will instantly reset the market for other top centers like Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum and Tampa Bay’s Graham Barton. “Barring a turnaround from Cam Jurgens in Philadelphia,” Barnwell added, “I’d expect Humphrey to be the first center to approach $30 million per season on a new deal.”
While Kansas City still has a few years before Humphrey’s extension talks heat up, the pressure is already mounting. One team insider told us the front office is “well aware” of the situation and is reportedly preparing for a massive outlay. If they want to keep their franchise QB protected and their dynasty alive, the writing is on the wall — and it’s written in millions.
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