The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to be without second-year offensive lineman Josh Simmons in their Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos, and the team may need to seek additional depth on its front five if the former Ohio State Buckeye needs to miss more than one game.
Veteran tackle D.J. Humphries — a former first-round pick who spent the back half of the 2024 season with the Chiefs — was recently released by the Washington Commanders and is currently a free agent.
While it is too late for Kansas City to sign a player in time for them to start in Week 1, a decision to sign Humphries could afford the Chiefs some much-needed flexibility during their 2026 campaign.
Currently, Kansas City is set to start Kahlil Benson — a rookie who signed with
the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent earlier this year — at the left tackle position in its home opener against Denver.
What Humphries lacks in upside, he makes up for in experience, and if Benson struggles in his Week 1 debut, general manager Brett Veach would be wise to thoroughly explore his options to ensure quarterback Patrick Mahomes is adequately protected throughout the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Should Chiefs reunite with ex-first-round pick released by Commanders?
