NFL Rumors: Creed Humphrey, Chiefs Agree to $72M Contract to Become Highest-Paid C

The Kansas City Chiefs and veteran center Creed Humphrey have agreed to terms on an extension that will see him reset the market for the position, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The deal is worth $72 million over four years, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. It also includes $50 million guaranteed.

The Detroit Lions' Frank Ragnow previously had the highest annual salary ($13.5 million) for a full-time center, per Spotrac.

Humphrey, a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, hasn't missed a start through his first three seasons. Beyond being consistently available for Kansas City, he has emerged as an elite interior blocker, making the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023.

His peers around the league omitted him from NFL Network's annual ranking of the top 100 players, but Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson was more generous. He had the 25-year-old at No. 30:

"Following Jason Kelce's retirement, Creed Humphrey now has the strongest case to be seen as the best center in the game despite playing just three seasons in the NFL so far. 2023 was his weakest year of the three, and the first season he didn't earn an overall PFF grade of at least 90.0. His run blocking is outstanding, and he has allowed just 44 total pressures in three seasons of action."

Patrick Mahomes' 10-year, $450 million extension was a team-friendly deal when he first signed it and has only become a bigger bargain. Still, his annual cap hit makes it a little difficult to maintain a roster that can continue to contend for a Super Bowl every single season.

General manager Brett Veach has nonetheless done just that and Humphrey's new contract follows other payouts to Kansas City's best players.

Chris Jones became the highest-paid interior defender in the league from his $158.8 million deal. The same is true for tight end Travis Kelce, who's on the books through 2025.

Humphrey is the third Chiefs lineman with an average salary of at least $16 million, joining Joe Thuney and Jawaan Taylor.

When it comes to Mahomes' pass protection, Kansas City is set for the foreseeable future.