Patrick Mahomes‘ influence inside the Kansas City Chiefs‘ locker room stretches far beyond dazzling throws or last-minute heroics as he enjoys a status as the final authority within the system.
It is a matter of leadership by consensus, where deference isn’t demanded but instinctively given, as the three-time Super Bowl champion is the one with the final word on the football field.
This dynamic was laid bare when Creed Humphrey stepped into his first team huddle during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and found himself face-to-face with the dynamic.
Confident and technically sound, the rookie attempted to call a protection at the line but Mahomes quickly overruled him and the other linesman backed their QB instead.
“‘Dude, just go with this call,'” Humphries recalled being told, something later reflected, was about initiation into the Chiefs’ culture of complete trust in their star quarterback.
“The final call, final say is always Pat,” Creed later told the Green Light podcast. “So, you know, I can go up there and call stuff and then he’s got final say, so he’ll check protections whenever he needs to.”
That phrase, “whenever he needs to”, defines the nature of Mahomes’ control and sheer trust built on years of elite performance: over 32,000 career passing yards, three Super Bowl titles, and a proven ability to deliver under pressure.
Within this system, even All-Pros like Humphrey defer not out of obligation, but out of respect for what Mahomes brings to every snap, and that mutual understanding has helped build one of the league’s most efficient and unshakeable offensive units.
Creed, now a three-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s highest-paid center after his recent $72 million extension, understands his role in the heartbeat of a team that thrives on cohesion – although he steps up when he has to.
In Super Bowl LVII (2022/23 NFL season), while Mahomes was nursing an injury, it was Humphrey who took initiative with a quick communication:
“We got five. I got the nose by myself.”
In return for the trust on the field, Patrick is known for publicly backing teammates, like Chris Jones, during contract talks as he proves the show isn’t just about him but is about keeping the Chiefs together as one group.
That willingness reflects in the Kansas City’s enduring success since 2019 with five AFC Championship titles and three Super Bowl successes, in a system that begins and ends with the final word of Mahomes.
Who do the Chiefs play in Week 1?
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off their 2025 NFL season against the Los Angeles Chargers as they head all the way to South America as part of the league’s plans to grow the sport around the globe.
Meeting on Friday, September 5, at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil, marking a historic moment as the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game played on the continent. Kick-off is from 20:00 ET/17:00 PT.
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