The Washington Commanders cut veteran tackle D.J. Humphries on Friday, and if you are a Rams fan, you have to be wondering if Les Snead is already on the phone. This move could bring Humphries back to Los Angeles, a much-needed insurance policy for A.J. Jackson and the offensive line.
Why The Rams Front Office Should Be Dialing Him Up Yesterday
Let’s be real, the Rams’ offensive line depth is looking thinner than a vegan latte right now. Josh Buckhalter from Heavy isn’t just whistling Dixie; he’s on the money when he suggests the Rams need to hit up Humphries. Why? Because A.J. Jackson’s situation is still up in the air. He’s not suspended by the NFL yet, and maybe he won’t be at all, but who knows what’s coming, or when an injury could sideline him again? Right now, L.A. is rolling with 36-year-old journeyman David Quessenberry as their only other backup left tackle. That’s a high-wire act with no net, folks. Humphries, on the other hand, knows the system, having appeared in eight games for the Rams in 2025, even getting a start when Jackson was out. He’s proven he can step in when needed, and he’s got one start in four postseason appearances under his belt too.
More Than Just a Body: The Kingsbury Link and Proven Play
It’s not just about filling a roster spot either. Humphries has a built-in advantage: he’s got history with Rams assistant head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Humphries himself told reporters in August that the Rams’ “offense is kind of,it’s kind of the offense that I ran earlier with Kliff and, I guess, a lot of that same stuff.” He literally said it’s “easier for me to kind of mesh in.” That’s not small potatoes! This dude was the 24th overall pick way back in 2015 by the Arizona Cardinals, where he started a whopping 98 games over eight seasons. Yeah, he’s been firmly entrenched as a backup the last two years with the Chiefs, Rams, and Commanders, but that experience is invaluable.
Sure, the Commanders might be just playing roster games, potentially releasing him for roster considerations. They could be doing this because vested veterans, those with four or more years of experience, have their contracts guaranteed for the entire season if they’re on the Week 1 roster. So, by cutting Humphries now, they avoid that commitment, possibly planning to elevate someone from the practice squad or keep other linemen active for Week 1, with an eye to re-sign Humphries in Week 2. But frankly, that’s their problem, not the Rams’. The Rams have a clear shot at a proven player.
Les Snead has a golden opportunity to grab a known quantity with experience in their system, a player who can step in immediately if Jackson hits a snag. With Humphries now a free agent again, perhaps Snead would feel more comfortable with him coming back to the Rams instead of relying solely on one aging journeyman. The ball’s in their court now. Will they make the smart call that could solidify the O-line and keep their early season on track, or will they risk it all on thin depth? Rams fans deserve to see their front office make a move here.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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