Kansas City Chiefs Announce Annual Team Awards, Honoring Mahomes, Gillotte, and Karlaftis for 2025 Efforts

The Kansas City Chiefs officially announced their 2025 team awards on Saturday, recognizing three standout contributors whose performances, leadership, and resilience defined a season of highs and lows for the franchise.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defensive end Ashton Gillotte, and defensive end George Karlaftis were each celebrated for their respective achievements, a recognition that came from the most trusted voices in the organization: their teammates.

The Derrick Thomas Award, presented annually to the team’s most valuable player, was once again bestowed upon Mahomes, reaffirming his central role as both a leader and a game-changing talent within the Chiefs’ roster.

Mahomes’ 2025 campaign, however, was not without adversity, as the three-time Super Bowl MVP suffered a torn ACL in Week 15, abruptly ending his season and eliminating Kansas City’s chances to challenge for a postseason berth.

Prior to his injury, Mahomes was in the midst of a highly productive year, recording 4,009 total yards, including 3,587 passing yards and 422 rushing yards, demonstrating his dual-threat capability and continued dominance under center.

In addition to yardage, Mahomes accounted for 27 total touchdowns, comprised of 22 passing touchdowns and five rushing scores, underscoring his versatility and ability to generate offense both through the air and on the ground.

Even amidst a challenging season for the Chiefs, Mahomes consistently elevated the team, particularly during stretches when the offensive line and receiving corps struggled to maintain consistency.

During these moments, Mahomes’ ability to extend plays with his legs and find open receivers under pressure often served as the sole spark keeping Kansas City competitive on any given Sunday.

The Derrick Thomas Award, named in honor of the Hall of Fame linebacker, carries symbolic weight beyond statistics, as it reflects not only production but also leadership, character, and impact within the locker room, traits that Mahomes consistently embodies.

Ashton Gillotte: Chiefs’ Rookie of the Year

Alongside Mahomes, defensive end Ashton Gillotte earned the Mack Lee Hill Award, recognizing Kansas City’s top rookie of the 2025 season, a testament to his immediate contributions and rapid development within a highly competitive defensive rotation.

The award is named after the late Mack Lee Hill, a talented Chiefs running back who tragically passed away during his second NFL season, and it serves as a reminder of the franchise’s enduring respect for perseverance and talent in its young players.

Gillotte was the 66th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, entering the league with modest expectations but quickly making an impact through his work ethic, versatility, and situational effectiveness on defense.

Over the course of his rookie season, Gillotte recorded 24 quarterback pressures, eight quarterback hits, three tackles-for-loss, and 1.5 sacks, statistics that reflect both his potential and his ability to affect games despite limited starting opportunities.

Remarkably, his 24 pressures came on just 268 pass-rushing snaps, placing him seventh among all rookie edge rushers in the league and signaling an elite per-snap impact that bodes well for his second season.

Gillotte’s situational play extended beyond the box score, including key moments in critical games where he helped disrupt opposing quarterbacks, collapse the pocket, and provide stability within the Chiefs’ pass rush rotation.

For example, his awareness and timing allowed him to contribute meaningfully even in games where he was not a primary starter, demonstrating a maturity and football IQ that impressed coaches and teammates alike.

The Mack Lee Hill Award, voted on by his peers, reflects Gillotte’s respected presence in the locker room as much as his on-field production, highlighting the trust his teammates place in his abilities and future potential.

George Karlaftis: Ed Block Courage Award Winner

On the defensive side of the ball, edge rusher George Karlaftis was named the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given annually by each NFL team to a player who exemplifies sportsmanship, integrity, and courage in the face of adversity.

Named after the longtime Baltimore Colts athletic trainer Ed Block, the award recognizes more than athletic performance; it celebrates the qualities that sustain a team’s culture and cohesion over the course of a grueling NFL season.

Karlaftis’ 2025 campaign was marked by consistent effort, professionalism, and resilience, traits that resonated not only with coaches but also with his fellow players, who ultimately voted him as the team’s nominee for the honor.

Despite the challenges inherent to a season in which Kansas City faced inconsistency and adversity on both sides of the ball, Karlaftis remained a stabilizing force along the defensive front, consistently executing assignments and maintaining composure under pressure.

His ability to inspire teammates through actions rather than words demonstrated the type of leadership that often goes unnoticed by the public but is critical to team chemistry and morale.

Karlaftis’ selection underscores the fact that contributions to a successful team extend beyond measurable statistics, encompassing resilience, courage, and the consistent drive to elevate those around you.

Team Recognition Through Player Voting

All three awards—Mahomes’ Derrick Thomas Award, Gillotte’s Mack Lee Hill Award, and Karlaftis’ Ed Block Courage Award—were voted on by the players themselves, reflecting a direct consensus of how the locker room viewed each recipient’s performance and character throughout the season.

This player-driven voting structure adds legitimacy to the honors, signaling that these awards represent the team’s authentic perspective rather than simply statistical output or media narrative.

In a season where Kansas City struggled to meet its lofty standards, these internal recognitions provided a meaningful opportunity for players to celebrate their peers’ perseverance, professionalism, and individual contributions.

By entrusting the vote to players, the Chiefs emphasized the value of peer recognition, highlighting who in the locker room demonstrated leadership, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to team success.

The awards also serve as a motivational tool for younger players, reminding them that effort, resilience, and respect in the locker room are often as impactful as highlight-reel plays on the field.

Contextualizing the 2025 Season

The 2025 campaign presented numerous challenges for the Chiefs, including injuries, inconsistent offensive production, and a defense that was still integrating younger players into key roles.

In this context, Mahomes’ ability to generate nearly 4,000 total yards and 27 touchdowns is particularly impressive, demonstrating his capacity to perform at a high level even when surrounded by turbulence.

Similarly, Gillotte’s emergence as a rookie contributor on a defensive line rotation laden with veteran talent represents a bright spot for Kansas City, offering hope for sustainable growth in a critical area of the roster.

Karlaftis’ courage and composure further reinforced team culture, providing a model for consistency and professional conduct that younger teammates can emulate.

The convergence of these three recognitions underscores the Chiefs’ multi-dimensional approach to evaluating performance, combining statistical achievement, leadership, and intangible qualities into a holistic assessment of value.

Looking Forward

As Kansas City moves into the offseason, these award announcements provide insight into how the team views its foundation moving forward.

Mahomes remains the indisputable centerpiece, whose leadership and talent will continue to define the franchise’s aspirations.

Gillotte represents the rising wave of young talent expected to contribute more significantly in the coming years, particularly after demonstrating elite per-snap impact as a rookie.

Karlaftis embodies the cultural and ethical standards the organization prioritizes, reminding the team that commitment and courage off the stat sheet are just as important as performance on it.

Collectively, these awards highlight the balance of experience, youth, and character that Kansas City believes is central to returning to postseason contention.

While the 2025 season may have fallen short of expectations, the recognition of Mahomes, Gillotte, and Karlaftis signals that the Chiefs still possess the critical components for future success.

The awards also emphasize a simple but enduring truth: even in challenging seasons, effort, leadership, and growth are worth celebrating, providing a foundation for the team’s next chapter in the NFL.