The Chiefs have spent the offseason trying to put a messy 2025 behind them, and one of the biggest reasons for optimism is sitting right at left tackle.
Josh Simmons, who appeared in only eight games as a rookie, still did enough to land on NFL.com’s All-Under-25 Team. That’s a strong nod for a player whose season was interrupted by personal issues and then ended by a wrist injury, but it also speaks to how well he played when he was actually on the field.
Kansas City needed him. Simmons stepped in and protected Patrick Mahomes well, giving the Chiefs real answers at a spot that had been a persistent question. His movement stands out right away: quick feet, smooth range, and the kind of athletic ability that shows up both in pass protection and in the run game.
“He was remarkably solid in his first few games as a pro, seemingly answering Kansas City's persistent question at left tackle,” Nick Shook wrote Monday. “But after Simmons missed four games because of a ‘family matter,’ a wrist injury ultimately ended his rookie season after just eight contests.
“The health issues will remain a concern, especially when considering the patellar tendon injury that tanked his draft stock, but if Simmons stays active, he’ll own a place on this team at this time next year, too -- and the Chiefs will be glad they took a risk on him with the 32nd pick two Aprils ago.”
Simmons is healthy now, and he’s already made a noticeable change to his body. He’s down to about 290 pounds, roughly 20 pounds lighter than his playing weight in 2025, after dedicating himself to getting into the best shape of his life. He looked like a beast in OTAs.
That matters for a Chiefs team trying to rebound from a season that also saw Xavier Worthy battle through a torn labrum and Patrick Mahomes work his way back toward being ready for Week 1. Mahomes is trending in the right direction, though he’s expected to need a couple of weeks to get back into game shape.
For Kansas City, the hope is simple: if the top players stay on the field, 2025 can be remembered as the outlier. Simmons, at least, already looks like part of the answer.
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