Former Chiefs Left Tackle D.J. Humphries Remains Unsigned After Struggles in Kansas City

D.J. Humphries’ brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 was far from the stabilizing presence the team had hoped for at left tackle. After a tumultuous season at the position, the Chiefs signed the veteran lineman late in the year, hoping his experience would shore up their protection during a potential playoff run.

Instead, Humphries struggled, and the Chiefs were forced to make a drastic change, further underscoring their issues on the offensive line.

Kansas City’s left tackle woes began early in the 2024 season. The team opened the year with rookie Wanya Morris as the starter, but inconsistent play led them to turn to Kingsley Suamataia. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Suamataia performed worse than Morris, prompting the coaching staff to revert to Morris by midseason. Even then, the line failed to provide the protection quarterback Patrick Mahomes needed.

In an effort to salvage the situation, Kansas City signed D.J. Humphries in late November. At the time, Humphries was recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the 2023 season.

The hope was that he would be ready for the playoffs and bring much-needed experience to the left side of the line. While he did manage to return to the field before the postseason, his performance left much to be desired.

According to Pro Football Focus, Humphries allowed three sacks, three quarterback hits, five hurries, and 11 pressures in just two appearances. Most notably, his performance in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos further cast doubt on his ability to contribute meaningfully in high-stakes situations.

The Chiefs eventually shifted All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to left tackle for the playoffs, a move that symbolized their desperation to find any semblance of stability. With Humphries unable to meet expectations, Kansas City chose not to re-sign him this offseason.

In early May, reports emerged that Humphries had signed with the San Francisco 49ers. However, on Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area clarified that no deal had been finalized between the two sides. As of now, Humphries remains a free agent, and his future in the NFL is uncertain.

Once a reliable starter with the Arizona Cardinals, Humphries now finds himself facing an uphill battle to prove he still belongs in the league.