Adding Big Chiefs won’t fix the team’s biggest weakness

Kansas City Chiefs is no longer an explosive offense that can win high-scoring jobs. Instead, Kansas City relied on ball control, discipline and defense to win games.

The team’s offensive ills throughout the year were compounded by poor performances at the offensive tackle positions. Due to their inability to provide protection in the passing game and frequent drive-kill penalties, the Chiefs were forced to simplify their creative and dangerous passing schemes, leaving Patrick Mahomes neutral as a result.

Chiefs starting left tackle Wanya Morris currently ranks below average in nearly every offensive line category by Pro Football Focus. There were also high hopes for BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia, whom the Chiefs selected 63rd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he dealt with typical rookie struggles. As the calendar turns to December and the playoffs approach, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach clearly wants to strengthen his position, but as the team’s latest signing shows, that may not be a problem he can solve in the free agent market.

Kansas City signed veteran offensive lineman DJ Humphries on Friday. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Humphries, who spent the last nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, will receive $2 million, with a maximum value of $4.5 million. The 30-year-old was nominated for the Pro Bowl in 2021, but his career was derailed by a torn anterior cruciate ligament last season. Humphries was medically cleared to return to the league on Friday. According to NFL’s Jordan Schulz.

Suamataia’s struggles led the Chiefs to leave him off the active roster against the Bills, so Humphries should provide them with valuable depth in case of injury. Still, it does little to fix the team’s struggles in the blind spot.

Humphries was once a reliable and versatile offensive player, but he brings with him a lot of unknowns. His health remains uncertain, and the first-round pick has struggled with penalties before. owned by Humphries 54 career penaltieshowever, he was flagged more than 11 times in both the 2019 and 2021 seasons. This is very similar to the position the Chiefs currently have, and it remains to be seen whether Humphries has anything left in the tank at this point in his career.

It’s hard to believe it can move the needle, but it’s definitely worth a try; especially as the Chiefs try to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blindside for another potential Super Bowl run.