On Wednesday March 13th news broke that the Arizona Cardinals released tackle DJ Humphries. The Cardinals selected Humphries in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Since then, Humphries appeared in 98 games for the redbirds, starting in every single one of those. In that time the Cardinals went through two playoff runs and six different quarterbacks, and Humphries was lined up at left tackle leaving it all out on the field on every snap. DJ Humphries was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and became one of the NFL’s most underrated offensive linemen. He was the longest tenured Cardinals on the roster in 2023. DJ Humphries impact on the organization was greatly appreciated and we saw some reactions on X.
You made an impact on and off the field.
You’ll always be a part of the Cardinals family. pic.twitter.com/YNLzbMYj9a— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 13, 2024
One of the realest, been a pleasure brother. Hope all Cardinals fans appreciate @74_hump!
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 13, 2024
Impact On the Field
DJ Humphries was a main-stay at left tackle for the Arizona Cardinals for nine years. Humphries was solid on the field being selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021, and was someone the Cardinals can rely on upfront. Humphries excelled as a pass blocker, posting an above average grade every season with the Cardinals per PFF player grades.
Humphries biggest impact came from being a leader in the Arizona Cardinals locker room, he was named team captain four times (2020,2021,2022,2023). Cardinals players often raved about Humphries leadership, and it was clear they enjoyed playing side by side with him. Humphries did not take this honor lightly, and talked about how it was one of his favorite accolades throughout his career.
“I think it’s one of my favorite accolades as a football player, …Being in the NFL and being a captain and being a leader of a group of men, that’s one of the highest honors that I could ask for as a player. That’s a level of respect from the top down. To be named that is a big deal for me.”
On December 31st in a week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, DJ Humphries tore his ACL. Unfortunately, that injury was likely the deciding factor in his release from the team.
Impact Off the Field
DJ Humphries also had a profound impact off the field . In 2020 Humphries started the PeeWee’s House Foundation, named after his grandmother Elizabeth Ann Means, whose nickname was Pee Wee. This was a charitable foundation with the initiative to serve food to those in need in Humphries hometown of Union, South Carolina. Which included giving away more than 2,000 boxes full of fruits, vegetables and other fresh ingredients to people in Union.
Humphries has often expressed his interest in inspiring others to giving back to their communities.
“There’s a different feeling people get when they get to know they can be more,” Humphries said. “There’s more than outside this town. I’m an example. I come from the same place that you come from, these same schools, and you can do something.”
Moving Forward
Humphries will be turning 31 next season, and most certainly will get another shot in the NFL. Playing one of the most important positions in football, securing book-end left tackle like Humphries will be a priority for teams. Though he will have to rehab his injured knee, his locker room presence will be a great addition for any team in the league.
As a Cardinals fan, as a football fan, thank you DJ.
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