D.J. Humphries' comeback with Chiefs is fueled by doubt and determination

D.J. Humphries sounds like a motivated man. Part of that is about signing with a Super Bowl contender like the Kansas City Chiefs, and another part of that comes from a place of pain—namely that those around him thought he was unlikely to play again in the National Football League.

Humphries is a good bet to be the starting left tackle for the Chiefs for the duration of their journey in '24—one that could carry them to a third consecutive Super Bowl title. But as he rehabbed his way back from a torn ACL suffered last season with the Arizona Cardinals, the veteran lineman says the journey back to the field has been an emotional one with surprise responses from those around him wondering what was "next" after football.

The Chiefs signed Humphries to a one-year deal earlier this week in order to bolster the left tackle role, and at his introductory press conference, he opened up about the lack of belief in those around him.

D.J. Humphries, fueled by doubt and determination after a career-threatening injury, joins the Kansas City Chiefs to strengthen their offensive line.

"Man, it's been interesting," Humphries said. "It's been, how you say, you find out stuff about yourself when you go through stuff like that. I knew I was a tough guy already but having to go through those things and getting those, 'Man, you had such a great career. What a run!' those texts were really trying for me. It was like, damn, people are just assuming it's over because I'm hurt. That was probably the toughest part."

It's even more interesting because Humphries himself has been there a few times in his career already. It's not as if last season's injury was his first major injury. A back injury cost him the second half of the season in 2022, while knee injuries cost him major parts of the 2017-18 seasons.

That those around him believed he would call it quits after being shelved for a longer stretch makes it all the more interesting—and from his perspective, all the more painful. Maybe that's a product of not having a team's backing with an official deal or perhaps his advancing age. Either way, Humphries took it personally.

The good news is that Humphries is going to be able to channel any frustration into proving once more that he can be a plus pass blocker on the field for a team in need of some help. Humphries' motivation could be an x-factor in providing the Chiefs with some reliable help outside after watching Wanya Morris play through an injury and Kingsley Suamataia face a steep learning curve.

Humphries is an uncertainty for Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders given the short week and his new arrival in K.C., but fans should expect to see him very soon.