One of the Arizona Cardinals’ most important free agents of the offseason is left tackle D.J. Humphries. He played the best season of his career and is set to cash in.

Signs point to his returning to the Cardinals in 2020.

Why is that?

“I would just say that I’m very optimistic that D.J. will return,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Of course, that doesn’t really reveal much, especially since chairman and team president Michael Bidwill suggested the team could use the franchise tag on Humphries, which would keep him in Arizona for at least one more season.

Keim sounds like he would like to avoid it.

“It’s certainly an option and we’ve talked about it,” he said. “Again, you always want to tie up your players that you feel good about and you want to come to an agreement moving forward to a longer-term deal than having to those things, for a number of reasons.”

Keim was very happy with Humphries’ play in 2019.

“(I’m) really proud of, not only the way he played, but sort of his maturation, the way he’s progressed as a worker, as a leader,” Keim said. “He’s always loved to play. He’s always been passionate and played hard. I think early on he was a young guy who had to get the big picture.”

Humphries did become a leader in the offensive line room. Offensive line coach Sean Kugler gets credit, too, but Keim believes in Humphries.

“We ran the football effectively this year and D.J. Humphries was a big reason for that. I think he played his best ball at the right time.”

While many will cite things like Humphries’ penalties in 2019 and his Pro Football Focus grade and ranking among other tackles, the Cardinals believe Humphries is a very good player.

“After looking at all the free agents so far and talking to our staff, I think we all feel very confident that D.J. Humphries has grown into one of the better tackles in the National Football League,” he said.

It sounds like Cardinals fans should be prepared for at least one more year of Humphries at left tackle and very likely the next several years.

Gallery These are the offensive linemen who will attend the NFL combine view 52 images

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 257

Ep. 256

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