Here’s a clean and concise summary of the situation:
The Kansas City Chiefs have taken significant steps to strengthen their left tackle depth this offseason, both through free agency and the NFL Draft. However, they just lost a key fallback option, as veteran offensive tackle DJ Humphries signed with the San Francisco 49ers, per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.
Humphries, a former Arizona Cardinals mainstay who finished last season with the Chiefs, was one of Kansas City’s few remaining unsigned free agents. Rather than returning, he’ll now join a recent Super Bowl opponent in San Francisco. Interestingly, this move finalizes an unusual free agency swap — earlier this offseason, the Chiefs added left tackle Jaylon Moore from the 49ers, and now San Francisco has brought in Humphries as a counterpart.
Health Limited D.J. Humphries’ Impact With Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs will likely be just fine without DJ Humphries, despite his departure to the San Francisco 49ers.
Although having extra depth never hurts, Humphries’ time in Kansas City was marred by health concerns from the outset. The veteran tackle needed several weeks to ramp up after signing midseason, and when he finally got the nod to start at left tackle in Week 14, he didn’t even finish the game due to a hamstring injury. That issue sidelined him for most of the remainder of the season, though he did start in Week 18 as the Chiefs evaluated their playoff starters.
Ultimately, Humphries didn’t do enough to displace Mike Caliendo, who had been filling in at left guard while Joe Thuney covered the left tackle spot — a move necessitated by injuries late in the season.
The Chiefs’ offensive line has seen several changes on the left side this offseason, including the signing of Jaylon Moore from the 49ers and the trade of Thuney. Moore is now expected to start at left tackle in Week 1, while first-round pick Josh Simmons works his way back from injury. The team also retains swing tackle Wanya Morris, undrafted free agent Ethan Driskell, and international developmental prospect Chu Godrick.
Additionally, 2024 draft pick Kingsley Suamataia, a natural left tackle, is expected to transition to guard at the next level — adding further depth and flexibility to the offensive line.
Chiefs’ Free Agents Have All Pretty Much Signed
DJ Humphries’ exit to the 49ers effectively closes the book on the Kansas City Chiefs’ internal free agency period.
Only a handful of veterans, such as tight ends Jody Fortson and Peyton Hendershot, remain unsigned from the 2024 roster. Most of the team’s pending 2025 unrestricted and restricted free agents have already re-signed or moved on, signaling the end of potential internal losses.
That doesn’t mean the Chiefs are finished making moves. Rather, they’ve likely finalized who they’ll lose — not necessarily who they might still add.
It’s been an offseason of notable exits, including key defenders like Tershawn Wharton, Justin Reid, and Derrick Nnadi. On the offensive side, the departure of Joe Thuney via trade made waves, and veteran wide receivers like DeAndre Hopkins, Justin Watson, and Mecole Hardman opted not to return.
Still, the Chiefs balanced those departures with a mix of core re-signings and strategic acquisitions. They locked in foundational players like Trey Smith and Nick Bolton, confirmed the return of Travis Kelce, and bolstered need areas at left tackle, cornerback, and along the defensive line.
In the end, it’s the type of calculated offseason you expect from a reigning Super Bowl champion: absorb inevitable losses while making the most of available resources to stay in contention.
