Chiefs Mid-Season Awards Ceremony: Honouring 2024’s Standout Performers.
- Lewis Green
- Nov 13, 2024
- 6 min read
(MVP=Most Valuable Player, OPOFH=Offensive Player Of The First Half, DPOFH= Defensive Player Of The First Half, ROFH= Rookie Of The First Half, HM= Honourable Mention)
MVP: Most Valuable Player
The driving force behind the Chiefs' success this season, demonstrating consistency, leadership, and game-changing moments every week.
OPOFH: Offensive Player of the First Half
The offensive engine—making plays, moving chains, and stacking up yards.
DPOFH: Defensive Player of the First Half
The backbone of the Chiefs’ defense, shutting down opponents and stepping up when it matters most.
ROFH: Rookie of the First Half
A standout among the rookies, stepping up and making a splash in their first NFL season.
HM: Honorable Mention
This player might not take the top award, but their impact on the field has been undeniable.
MVP: Most Valuable Player:
Patrick Mahomes, quarterback.
They say a team is only as good as its weakest link. But in Kansas City, it’s as good as its best player. Patrick Mahomes may not be putting up the staggering stats we’re used to seeing, but he’s doing something far greater—he’s redefining what it means to be indispensable. Sitting undefeated at 9-0, the Chiefs have become a testament to Mahomes’ adaptability, resilience, and, ultimately, his greatness.
Now, let’s address the obvious: 2024 hasn’t been Mahomes’ most electric season. The gaudy numbers, those impossible throws, and circus catches? They’ve been dialed down. He’s lost his top three receiving threats and has a cast that no longer reads like the “who’s who” of the NFL’s elite pass-catchers. The situation is less “Showtime” and more “survive and advance.” But here’s the magic of Mahomes—when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest, he morphs. It’s in the fourth quarter that we see him at his peak. Just when fans are on edge, he delivers with poise and purpose.
We’re watching a new chapter in the Mahomes story, a slower, steadier version of greatness. We’ve traded jaw-dropping highlights for grit and tenacity, and in return, we get a quarterback who never quits on his team. Mahomes has found ways to keep the Chiefs rolling in a brand of football that doesn’t revolve around his arm alone. With defenses double-teaming Travis Kelce and daring the young receiving corps to beat them, he’s embraced an efficient, calculated approach. He has reined in the high-flying antics to ensure victory through any means necessary.
This isn’t just good play—it’s the hallmark of an all-timer, a player whose influence runs so deep that he shapes the team’s identity on any terms needed. Before he turns 30, Mahomes has already solidified himself as a top-three player ever to lace up cleats in the NFL. And as he chases the legend of Tom Brady, there’s a sense that he’s making that record-breaking mountain look less daunting with every season.
With 2024 in full swing, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the singular talent we have in Patrick Mahomes. The league has never seen his equal: an arm, a mind, and a spirit in perfect sync. Kansas City may be 9-0, but Mahomes is giving us more than wins—he’s giving us a new definition of excellence in real time. So sit back, Chiefs Kingdom, and enjoy every moment of this ride. The best may be yet to come.
OPOFH: Offensive Player of the First Half:
Kareem Hunt, running-back.
Kareem Hunt was an unlikely hero for the 2024 Chiefs, a story that nearly seemed written by fate. After three weeks of watching the NFL season from his couch, Hunt was thrust back into the Kansas City spotlight when Isaiah Pacheco fractured his fibula on a seemingly innocuous one-yard carry in the Chiefs' week-two showdown with the Bengals. Suddenly, there was a void in the backfield that cried out for redemption—and it came bearing Hunt's name.
For fans, the idea of Hunt returning to Kansas City was loaded with tension. His departure in 2018 left a bitter taste, and many questioned if the Chiefs would take that leap again. But life has a way of opening unexpected doors, and Hunt didn’t just step through—he charged forward with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. Filling in for Pacheco, he’s been a dawg, grinding out 449 yards on 125 carries and punching in five gritty touchdowns. His numbers might not leap off the stat sheet, but stats only tell half the story. Hunt’s physical, bruising style has become the heartbeat of this offense, a throwback to smashmouth football that’s wearing down defenses.
His impact extends far beyond the yardage. In week eight against Las Vegas, he was named a team captain, a testament to his newfound role as a leader in this Chiefs’ locker room. He’s set the tone with his relentless style, and his clutch touchdown to seal the Chiefs' overtime thriller against Tampa Bay felt like a full-circle moment.
Let’s be honest—without Hunt, this Chiefs team likely wouldn’t still be undefeated. For his grit, his heart, and his willingness to shoulder the load when it mattered most, Hunt is my pick for the Chiefs' offensive player of the first half. He’s earned the respect of his teammates and fans alike. Here’s hoping he gets that ring he’s fighting for—because Hunt's second chance might just lead to the Chiefs' third Lombardi.
DPOFH: Defensive Player of the First Half:
Chris Jones, defensive tackle.
No debate here: Chris Jones is the clear choice for the Chiefs' defensive player of the first half. For years, he’s been a top name on any list of elite defensive players, terrorizing quarterbacks, blowing up blocking schemes, and doing it all with the work ethic and team-first attitude Chiefs Kingdom loves. Sure, his sack count is at three through nine games, but those numbers barely scratch the surface of what he brings to this defense.
Jones’ impact runs deeper than any stat line. He’s double-teamed on almost every snap, creating opportunities for his fellow pass-rushers and consistently giving offensive coordinators nightmares. In run defense, he’s rock-solid, and his awareness and hustle keep Kansas City in control of crucial downs. He’s the guy who steps up to make the play that shifts momentum when it’s most needed.
Fresh off a five-year, nearly $160 million deal, Jones is locked in as a cornerstone for the Chiefs’ future. Chiefs fans don’t need to be convinced about this pick—if you know, you know.
ROFH: Rookie of the First Half:
Xavier Worthy, wide receiver.
The Chiefs have been crushing it in the draft over the past few years. Their 2022 haul alone brought Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, and Isaiah Pacheco—a foundation that’s paid off in spades. The 2023 draft followed suit, with impact players like Rashee Rice, Wanya Morris, and Chamarri Conner joining the fold. But the 2024 class? It's been a bit slower out of the gate.
So, when it comes to choosing the Chiefs' rookie of the first half, the field narrows down to a few candidates: Jaden Hicks, whose limited snaps haven’t allowed him to make a big impact; Kingsley Suamataia, who’s had some real struggles at tackle; and Xavier Worthy, who gets my nod as the pick here.
With 20 catches, 246 yards, and three touchdowns, Worthy’s shown flashes of what he can do. He lit up Baltimore in his NFL debut with two touchdowns and delivered a clutch deep touchdown against the Chargers in Week 4, giving us glimpses of why the Chiefs drafted him. But he’s also had his share of missed opportunities. Mahomes overthrew him on a deep ball against Denver, and in Week 9 against Tampa Bay, Worthy let a 30-yard touchdown slip away. His stat line could be a lot flashier if a few key plays had swung the other way.
Despite the ups and downs, Worthy has given Chiefs fans a taste of his sky-high potential. I’m betting he’ll close out the season strong and carry that momentum into a breakout second year.
HM: Honorable Mention:
Leo Chenal, everywhere.
It feels like just a matter of time before Leo Chenal is in serious contention for major NFL awards. This guy has “it.” His blocked field goal against Denver is already part of Chiefs folklore, preserving their undefeated season at 9-0, and that’s just the latest of his highlight-reel moments. Flash back to Week 3 against Atlanta, where he essentially dismantled the Falcons' pulling offensive line on a critical fourth down, setting Nick Bolton up for the tackle. And who could forget the Super Bowl against San Francisco, when he blocked a PAT that proved decisive in securing the Chiefs’ back-to-back championships?
Chenal’s “Chensational” athleticism is just one side of the story—the man climbed up a double-decker bus at the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade, showing off his physical prowess. But it’s not just about his talent; by all accounts, Leo is an outstanding teammate and a solid person. Here’s to seeing many more monster plays from 54. The Chiefs have a star in the making. Honourable mention of the first half.
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