‘He’s as strong as an Ox and has feet like a Ballerina’ — Josh Simmons looks like KC Chiefs’ most improved player at training camp
Kansas City Chiefs DE George Karlaftis has come away very impressed with the 2026 version of first-round LT Josh Simmons. So has RG Trey Smith and HC Andy Reid.
When the Kansas City Chiefs selected Josh Simmons with pick No. 32 in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team felt like they got one over on the rest of the league. That’s becoming increasingly apparent at the start of his second NFL season, at 2026 training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Simmons has spent the offseason transforming his body. He weighed in at mandatory minicamp practices under 300 pounds, but he’s continued to work and get his weight to a spot where he is extremely lean yet muscular. That has helped him take his strength to the next level, along with things like footwork and agility. What’s become clear through five days of training camp practice is that Simmons is the team’s most improved player heading into the 2026 NFL season. He has met every single challenge so far during training camp practices.
During the team’s first padded practice session, Simmons gave his teammates on the defensive side of the ball a taste of what’s to come during the 2026 NFL season. The man is an absolute brick wall.
George Karlaftis says what needs to be said about Josh Simmons after 5 days of training camp
Speaking to reporters after practice, Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis was asked about Simmons. The two have met quite a bit during the early goings at training camp. There was a notable clip where Simmons tossed Karlaftis like a rag doll on a rep. There was another clip circulating with Simmons bullying Karlaftis in the run game.
During OL-DL one-on-one drills on Monday, it was a back-and-forth battle, but Simmons mostly held his own against Karlaftis.
“Josh (Simmons) is a great player,” Karlaftis said. “You know, obviously had a great season last year, so that was out a few games and stuff like that. But you know, he’s a great player. You know, obviously, he’s strong as an Ox, and he’s got feet like a Ballerina. So you know, he’s very good and very talented. We’ve had our battles, and you know, we’ve talked, and iron sharpens iron. So, this is what this period is for us: getting better.”
Karlaftis evoked the old platitude of football: Iron sharpens iron. He explained that Simmons is helping him take his game to the next level. Throughout the roster, players share the same mentality. Players on the offensive line, defensive line, and other position groups are collaborating and figuring it out together.
Karlaftis said they will get together after practice and tell each other what they’re seeing on a given rep and why they won the way they did. It helps the team all across the board become better in any way they possibly can, and that’s what he says this period is all about.
Chiefs right guard Trey Smith impressed by the way Josh Simmons has prepared and stepped up this year
Also speaking to reporters after practice was Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith. Smith plays on the opposite side of the offensive line from Simmons, but he has taken notice of what the second-year left tackle has accomplished this offseason. The work Simmons has put in to achieve not only the physique, but the success he’s seeing on the practice field has Smith dreaming of what No. 71 can grow into at the NFL level.
“Yeah, Josh (Simmons) is just so freaking talented,” Smith said. “Really, just aspiring to be a great player, man. He’s hungry for it. He’s really been putting a lot of work in, and you know, he’s going to continue to develop. I think the world of Josh. He’s a great dude, but also just like the way he stepped up and prepared this year. Just really excited to keep watching him grow, and also just anything I could do for him. You know, to be just at his service in a way, it’s where I can help him out in the capacity that I can. But I’m just really excited for Josh Simmons.”
Smith also mentioned that left guard Kingsley Suamataia, next to Simmons on the left side, has taken a step forward as well. Smith said he’s excited for what the left side of the offensive line can be during the 2026 NFL season.
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid explains what Simmons is working on heading into the 2026 NFL season
While Simmons does look like the most improved player from last season, that’s not to say there’s not more work to be done during training camp. Each and every day, the Chiefs and their players are working on the different things they can improve on to give themselves a competitive edge against their opponents in the upcoming season.
For Simmons, while he has looked quite impressive, coach Andy Reid believes the next step in his development is all about consistency.
“He’s trying to work on all the small things right now,” Reid said. “(Josh Simmons has) got all the tools, and he knows that. He’s got his weight up a little bit, and he’s got strength, and now it’s just a matter of being consistent with assignments and footwork and all of that. Which is so important on the offensive line. But he’s working like crazy to make sure he hones in on all of that stuff.”
Simmons’s rookie season was a bit of a mixed bag after injury and personal reasons kept him off the field. He appears ready to turn a new page in 2026, becoming an anchor for the Chiefs’ offensive line and filling a left tackle position that has been a difficult spot for Kansas City to fill long-term.
