Creed Humphrey on Chiefs rookie Kingsley Suamataia: 'He wants to be great'

Arrowhead Addict sat down with Creed Humphrey to talk about his new contract, his newest linemate, and the best trash talker on the Chiefs.

Creed Humphrey knows a thing or two about rookie success.

As the second round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2021 NFL Draft, Humphrey was installed as a first-team center up front early in the summer of his initial season at the professional level. The Chiefs had little in the way of competition—Austin Blythe and Darryl Williams—and Humphrey was already pro-ready coming out of the o-line factory known as Oklahoma.

By now we all know the results of Humphrey's first season. He was so good as a center—with an elite blend of instincts, technique, strength, and athleticism—that he finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Yeah, that's third among all rookies from skill positions as a... center.

From there, Humphrey went on to make the Pro Bowl for the last two years and earned a massive extension from the Chiefs in the last couple of weeks that reset the center market. As it turns out, the rookie potential was the tip of the iceberg and Humphrey now looks like a Chiefs legend-in-the-making.

As it turns out, Humphrey has more good news for the Chiefs. They look like they have their next great rookie performer along the offensive line in left tackle Kingsley Suamataia.

Suamataia was the Chiefs' second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a raw but athleticially-gifted marvel of a tackle out of Brigham Young. The Chiefs worked out a minor trade to move up and get their man, and then proceeded to install him as their starting left tackle beginning with late spring workouts in OTAs and minicamps. Sound familiar?

Humphrey recently sat down with Arrowhead Addict, in partnership with Sleep Number smart beds, to discuss a number of subjects, including his new contract, before the start of the regular season. Not only does he highlight some fun facts about the Chiefs behind-the-scenes but he also dishes on Suamataia and his growth curve so far in the NFL.

"He's grown so much since he's been here through OTAs, through offseason training, through training camp. He's been awesome," said Humphrey about Suamataia. "He's been awesome to have around. He's a heck of a player. Obviously, that's why he's taken so early in the draft."

A player can only grow as much as he's willing to put in the work, but fortunately Humphrey says he sees a drive for true greatness in Suamataia's approach to the game.

"He's a heck of a player, but he also has the right mindset. He blends in really well with the rest of the guys in the room. He wants to be great. He wants to be the best possible version he can be and he's done a great job just learning from the older guys, doing all that. [He's] playing physical, playing aggressive, doing all that, taking coaching really well. He's been awesome to have around."

The results so far have been successful as the Chiefs have not flinched from their installation despite the presence of Wanya Morris or the experience of Lucas Niang. Suamataia looks the part and seems ready for the coming season. If he's the real deal, the combination of Joe Thuney, Humphrey, and Trey Smith will look even more formidable as the Chiefs chase a three-peat.

You can see our full interview with Humphrey below.

Sleep Number is the Official Sleep + Wellness Partner of the NFL, and currently 80% of the League benefits from the improved sleep performance on Sleep Number smart beds.