The Chiefs have had a few odd situations pile up around some of their younger players, and the pattern has started to stand out.
Left tackle Josh Simmons is one of the biggest names in that group. Kansas City put him on IR because of an ongoing back injury, and the latest reporting described it as a bulging disc.
But the injury isn’t the only thing drawing attention. Simmons was also dismissed by coach Andy Reid for putting his feet up during a meeting, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes backed Reid in that dispute.
After that, it was reported that Simmons would go home to meet with his agent and family about possible subsequent actions. Since then, there hasn’t been any further word on either the injury or what Simmons is doing with his rehab.
It’s also the second time in two seaasons that a personal reason has been tied to Simmons missing games. Last year, he left the team for a month to deal with a personal problem.
Another younger player, guard Kingsley Sumamataia, was suddenly benched two weeks ago with no notice or explanation. Reid later said he wanted to keep things between him and his guard, adding that they were “working some things out.”
Then there’s Rashee Rice, whose off-field issues have been hanging around for the last two seasons. This week brought another development when Rice reportedly filed for bankruptcy, in part because of his medical debts to victims of an accident he caused back in 2024 during a street racing incident in Dallas.
Taken one by one, none of those situations necessarily proves a larger issue. Put together, though, they do invite questions about Reid’s relationships with some of his younger players, especially with the expectations that could be coming into play.
What stands out even more is how firmly the veterans have lined up behind Reid, with Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce especially vocal in that support. They’re all in on what will almost certainly be the last go-round for Kelce as the Chiefs try to end their two-game losing streak against the New York Jets on Sunday.
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