If you watched the Kansas City Chiefs this season and came away thinking their offensive line was a weak link, you’re not alone. Patrick Mahomes spent more time scrambling than he probably wanted to, and the eye test didn’t exactly scream “top-tier protection.” But according to Pro Football Focus, the numbers tell a different story.
PFF’s Zoltan Buday ranked the Chiefs’ offensive line as the 10th-best unit in the league this year. That might surprise some fans, but dig into the details and there’s a case to be made. When healthy, this group showed flashes of being one of the NFL’s best - and for a 12-week stretch, they backed it up with elite-level pass protection.
From Weeks 1 through 12, Kansas City’s offensive line ranked second in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric, allowing 100 pressures and 12 sacks on 475 base pass plays. That’s not just solid - that’s top-tier production in a league where quarterbacks are under siege more than ever.
Let’s take a look at the starting five Buday highlighted:
- LT Josh Simmons
- LG Kingsley Suamataia
- C Creed Humphrey
- RG Trey Smith
- RT Jawaan Taylor
There’s a mix of youth and experience here, and while the unit didn’t always play with consistency, the talent is evident - especially when they were all on the field together.
One of the biggest question marks this season was rookie left tackle Josh Simmons. He had his ups and downs, and his season was cut short by injury, but there’s reason for optimism.
Simmons posted a 75.5 pass-blocking grade, which ranked second among rookie offensive linemen. That’s a strong foundation to build on - and for a team that’s always thinking long-term around Mahomes, Simmons could still be in the mix as the left tackle of the future.
On the opposite end of the line, though, things were shakier. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor was brought in to solidify the edge, but instead, he struggled to find his footing.
Between penalties, inconsistent technique, and lapses in protection, Taylor became a source of instability - not what you want from a high-priced free agent addition. His performance raises real questions heading into the offseason, especially with the Chiefs needing to make some tough cap decisions.
But if there’s one rock in the middle of it all, it’s Creed Humphrey. The third-year center continues to anchor this line with elite play.
He earned the highest overall grade of any center in the NFL this season - an 88.8 - and is a finalist for the league’s inaugural Protector of the Year award, which aims to spotlight the best offensive lineman in football. Humphrey’s blend of strength, smarts, and consistency is exactly what you want in a leader up front, and he’s become a cornerstone for this Chiefs offense.
The big-picture takeaway? This offensive line isn’t as broken as it might have seemed.
Injuries and inconsistency played a role in some of the rougher stretches, but the core talent - especially on the interior - is there. The Chiefs will still need to address the line this offseason, both in the draft and through free agency.
Whether they’re looking to add depth or find a new starter, particularly at tackle, will be one of the key storylines to watch.
And make no mistake - this is a critical area for Kansas City heading into next season. Mahomes is coming off a knee injury, and while he’s still the magician we’ve come to expect, he’ll need a clean pocket more than ever, especially early in the year.
The Chiefs know their Super Bowl window stays wide open as long as No. 15 is upright. Shoring up the offensive line isn’t just a priority - it’s a necessity.