The cavalry has arrived to fix the Kansas City Chiefs woes at left tackle. Since Eric Fisher was cut, the left tackle spot has seen a trio of candidates attempt to protect the franchise. But a new hero has emerged, just in time for the playoff push.
Perhaps I’m using my inner superhero mantra: The arrival of Left tackle DJ Humphries is like watching Batman hit the big screen for the first time. It feels like the Kansas City Chiefs have been without a solid left tackle for so long.
After their Super Bowl LV debacle, the offensive line received a makeover. General Manager Brett Veach traded for Orlando Brown, Jr., who was born to play right tackle but was moved to the left side, where he won Pro Bowl selections.
In his two seasons in Kansas City, he was an average tackle with below-average footwork, which made him serviceable. Honestly, he wasn’t all that good. Still, he got a big payday from the Cincinnati Bengals, but they’ve not come close to the playoffs since he arrived.
Kansas City drafted Oklahoma Tackle Wanya Morris two years ago, and he showed promise. In 2024, the Chiefs drafted BYU Tackle Kingsley Suamataia, who was all but given the starting job. However, two games into the season, he was benched for Morris.
The problem with Suamataia and Morris is that they need to be coached up. Offensive Line Coach Andy Heck has been unable to solve the Rubik Cube of both tackles. In fact, under his coaching, they’ve digressed on the field.
Thus, Veach waited for the medical clearance of former Arizona Cardinals Tackle. DJ Humphries signed two weeks ago to solve his dilemma at left tackle. After Patrick Mahomes was visibly upset at another whiff by Morris on a third and goal player, he threw his hands up and looked at the bench.
The gesture was meant to spark some change, and Guard Joe Thuney played left tackle for the remainder of the game.
So that’s how we got here, and now Humphries will make his debut Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are clinging to the slightest hopes of winning the AFC West.
That’s the immediate reality, but in the big picture, Humphries is viewed as a savior for the offensive line. He adds another veteran who doesn’t need much coaching, understands his role, and has the opportunity for a big payday if he can protect Mahomes.
Brett Veach has one minor flaw as a General Manager: He has yet to find five offensive linemen who can help his quarterback. He’s had success in three-fifths of that process on the interior (Thuney, Smith, and Creed Humphrey), but he might also lose Trey Smith to free agency if he doesn’t quickly re-sign him like he did with Humphrey earlier this season.
With the struggles at left tackle and their overpriced right tackle, Jawaan Taylor, who has struggled since arriving via free agency two years ago, Veach is stuck with Taylor through the 2025 season.
The Chiefs love all the playmakers on both sides of the ball, and they signed Humphries because the star quarterback is crumbling under the pressure of being perfect on his first read. He has no time in the pocket to look elsewhere.
Humphries is there to give Mahomes more time in the passing game, and he should do just that. He’s also auditioning for a bigger payday next season. Will that be in Kansas City?
That might be decided over the next two months. At 30, he still has some good years left, provided the knee is fully repaired; he’s far better than the combination of Morris and Suamataia, who need both health and better coaching to become part of the future in Kansas City.
For the Chiefs newest experiment at left tackle, let’s hope he makes a great first impression and gives the offensive jolt it needs to prepare for the playoffs.
