The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into this weekend’s matchup against the Houston Texans with a banged-up offensive line - and center Creed Humphrey is right in the middle of it, both literally and figuratively.
With the possibility of being down three starters, Humphrey isn’t flinching. In fact, his message to the locker room and the fan base is simple: “The ship’s not sinking.” That’s not just optimism - it’s a reflection of how this Chiefs team operates when adversity hits.
Speaking Wednesday, Humphrey emphasized that communication will be the key to keeping things steady up front. And that’s not just coach-speak.
When you're facing a Houston defense that thrives on disruption, especially with their aggressive front seven, every call at the line, every adjustment in real time, becomes magnified. Humphrey, as the anchor of the line, knows the weight of that responsibility.
Houston’s defense has made a name for itself by creating chaos at the line of scrimmage - they love to bring pressure, stunt, and confuse opposing protections. For a Kansas City unit potentially missing multiple starters, that’s a serious test.
But Humphrey isn’t sounding the alarm. Instead, he’s focused on execution and cleaning up the small mistakes that have made the difference in recent losses.
“We’ve been in every game,” Humphrey said. “It’s come down to just a few missed plays.” That’s the kind of perspective you want from a leader in the trenches - not brushing off issues, but recognizing that the margin between winning and losing in the NFL is razor thin.
He also touched on the development of younger players like Josh Simmons, who could be asked to step up in a bigger role this week. Humphrey’s confidence in the next-man-up mentality is telling - this is a group that believes in its depth, even if the starting lineup looks different on Sunday.
As the Chiefs prepare for a Texans team that’s been turning heads with its physicality and speed on defense, all eyes will be on the offensive line. Can they hold up?
Can they give Patrick Mahomes the time he needs? According to Humphrey, the answer lies in the details - the calls, the chemistry, and the trust built in the meeting rooms and on the practice field.
This weekend’s game won’t just test Kansas City’s depth - it’ll test their identity. And if you ask Creed Humphrey, they’re more than ready for it.