The Kansas City Chiefs could use another offensive tackle, and former Pro Bowler DJ Humphries is still available. A first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Florida product started his career on the lowest possible note, failing to see a snap as a rookie while publicly drawing the ire of then-head coach Bruce Arians. However, he quickly turned it around, earning a starting job in 2016 and never looking back. Serving as Arizona’s primary left tackle, the former first-round pick started 98 games while earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021.
Released as a cap casualty following the 2023 season, Humphries spent most of the offseason returning from a torn ACL. The nine-year veteran spent the past few months working his way back to health and, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, is reportedly cleared for game action. While several teams across the league need help at offensive tackle, Justin Pugh believes the Kansas City Chiefs are the best fit.
I predict @Chiefs. Makes too much sense https://t.co/hu5xdI5KF2
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) November 22, 2024
NFL Veteran Thinks Chiefs Should Sign DJ Humphries
While Pugh is no longer in the NFL, the 11-year veteran likely knows what he’s talking about. A first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Syracuse product spent the early portion of his career with the New York Giants before joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He then started alongside Humphries for the next five years, primarily blocking for Kyler Murray. Pugh isn’t Humphries’ agent and has no ties to the Kansas City Chiefs, but perhaps the years playing together gives Pugh a unique insight into the possible future of his former teammate.
Of course, Pugh could just be stating the obvious. The Chiefs are 9-1 and in a position to secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, but this roster is not perfect. While they boast the NFL’s best interior offensive line, the tackle position needs some help. After getting by with subpar veteran play last year, the Chiefs embraced a youth movement in 2024. Unfortunately, that approach has not worked out and DJ Humphries could save the Chiefs down the stretch.
Tackle Woes
Second-round rookie Kingsley Saumataia entered the season as the starting left tackle but quickly lost his job to backup Wanya Morris. While it’s too early to give up on his long-term future, Saumatia isn’t ready to help the team win right now. Morris, meanwhile, is doing the best he can, but he still ranks 62nd out of 77 eligible tackles in PFF grade. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are good enough to overcome subpar play at a crucial position like left tackle, but it wouldn’t hurt to find a replacement.
DJ Humphries is not the player he used to be, and the former first-round pick probably doesn’t have another Pro Bowl season in his tank. However, he won’t need to be a superstar to be an upgrade – he’ll just need to play at a league-average level. Morris isn’t cutting it, and the Chiefs do not have a Plan B if injury strikes him or right tackle Jawaan Taylor. Assuming he truly is healthy, Humphries can begin on the practice squad and work his way into the starting lineup by the time the playoffs start.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports
