The NFL created a new award to recognize the best offensive lineman in the league and two Kansas City Chiefs are frontrunners for the award.
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent announced Thursday that rookie left tackle Josh Simmons and center Creed Humphrey are currently leading the race to receive the NFL’s first Protector of the Year award.
Also recognized were tackles Laremy Tunsil of the Washington Commanders, Garrett Bolles of the Denver Broncos and Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles.
And other frontrunners to make Vincent’s list were Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney, Los Angeles Rams guard Justin Dedich, Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic and Atlanta Falcons center Ryan Neuzil.
Josh Simmons is a Standout Rookie Tackle
Vincent recognizes Simmons for being “put on an island” while protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blindside. Simmons has been put on an island in pass-blocking situations more frequently than any other tackle in the league through Week 5 at 83%.
Simmons holds an overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 64.6, ranking 36th among players at his position. His 72.3 pass-blocking grade places him 24th in the league. In last week’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Simmons delivered his best performance of the season, earning a 76.1 overall offensive grade, including an impressive 83.5 in pass blocking and 66.1 in run blocking. Over 314 snaps, he has committed just three penalties and allowed only one sack.
GettyST JOSEPH, MISSOURI – AUGUST 03: Josh Simmons #71 of the Kansas City Chiefs participates in drills during training camp at Missouri Western State University on August 03, 2025 in St Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
A former Ohio State standout, Simmons was once projected as a top draft pick before a knee injury caused him to slide to No. 32, where he was selected by the Chiefs.
Teammates had previously praised Simmons.
“I love Josh. I love his mentality and demeanor coming into it,” guard Trey Smith said in July. “I could tell he’s very talented, in terms of his lower body, the capabilities that he has in terms of the movement, and he’s a hard worker.”
“He’s a young, hungry kid,” said star defensive tackle Chris Jones. “He’s ferocious, he’s thrown a couple of our guys on the ground, you know, punked ’em out. But I like the kid, I like him a lot.”
Creed Humphrey Likely Best Center in NFL
With a quieter role at center, no one is playing better than All-Pro Humphrey, according to Pro Football Focus. Humphrey has an overall rating of 79.7, which is ranked 1st in the NFL. He has a pass block grade of 75.2 and a run block grade of 79.8, which each rank third in the league.
Humphrey has logged 327 snaps this season without committing a single penalty or allowing a sack. A second-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2021, he has quickly become a key piece of the Chiefs’ offensive line. Humphrey earned first-team All-Pro honors last season, was named to the second team in 2022, and has already been selected to the Pro Bowl three times.
The Chiefs (2-3) host the Detroit Lions (4-1) in Week 6 for “Sunday Night Football.”
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