D.J. Humphries for mayor? LT dreams to stay with Cardinals for career

Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries negotiated his own contract extension ahead of the season, his third contract since Arizona drafted him in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

For Humphries, staying put with one team and being a mainstay in the community has been his goal for years.

“That has always been my goal ever,” Humphries said on The Dave Pasch Podcast this week. “Playing football, I always wanted to go to a team and be a mainstay to that team and retire from that place and be able to live in the town and go to the grocery store and get the glory love. That was always my dream, being that hometown guy who played one team for a long time.

“… Maybe run for mayor or something like that when he’s like 60.”

Humphries’ latest deal was a three-year extension through the end of the 2025 season. His previous contract was set to expire after this campaign. Should Humphries play out his deal, he would spend 10 seasons with the Cardinals.

The 28-year-old has been a stable presence on the Arizona line for years, as he has missed one game since the start of 2019.

He didn’t hit the ground running, though, as he was a healthy scratch for every game of his rookie year.

That ensuing offseason changed his life in more ways than one.

“First I had my son early in the offseason, and that was like a different wake up call for me … I had to set an example, I had to do things a certain way,” Humphries said.

“… Not understanding you can’t do things during the offseason with coaches and they can’t do drills and stuff like that, I was like, ‘Yo, I have to figure this out on my own or I’ll be out of the league.’ And I think that was when it kind of clicked for me.”

He started working out with former NFL offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley and building better routines.

Seven years later, Humphries has the captain’s “C” on his jersey after his first Pro Bowl season, although he doesn’t count it since he was an injury replacement. He feels he’ll get there, though.

He said he reflects on how far he’s come when younger players ask him questions, noting it is a cool feeling to share guidance to the next group. It isn’t something he could have done early in his career.

Humphries pointed out rookie edge rushers Cameron Thomas, Myjai Sanders and Jesse Luketa as young players he’s developed a relationship with.

“Them perceiving how the NFL was going to be and trying to not step on toes and be careful with how they rush and stuff like that, I’m like, ‘Bro I need you to rush because I gotta be ready for this week. I need you to go,’ and I get them to understand that and watch it bear fruit for them on the other side of it,” Humphries said.

“To shine a light on some guys and help them do things and help them continue to grow and develop is like that is super dope.”

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