Chiefs name Alex Smith team MVP, Kareem Hunt rookie of the year

The Kansas City Chiefs have named Alex Smith their team MVP and Kareem Hunt their rookie of the year, which will be presented to them at the 101 Awards later this year. The Chiefs MVP award is called the Derrick Thomas award while the rookie of the year is the Mack Lee Hill award.

This is an award voted on by the players. Neither comes as a shock. This is the second time Alex Smith has won this award after he shared it with Eric Berry following the 2015 season.

Alex Smith put up a career year and led the Chiefs to the playoffs. He had his down moments, sure, but overall he was terrific. Yes, that’s hard to say four days after the playoff loss but the Chiefs were able to get the most out of Alex this season with a career high 4,042 yards and 26 touchdowns to five interceptions in 15 games.

I am not shocked that Kareem Hunt won this award but I am shocked he was this good this early. Remember Spencer Ware was supposed to split carries with him but when he was injured the team looked to Hunt, who put up 1,327 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and eight rushing touchdowns. If the Chiefs gave him the ball more last weekend, they might still be playing. The future is bright for Hunt.

Congrats to both Chiefs players.