Chiefs rookie gets monster challenge from Day 1, but Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid already show full trust in his role
Josh Simmons gets a shot to start at left tackle.
SÃO PAULO — Eleven months ago, Josh Simmons went through what could have been a career-altering moment. In his final year at Ohio State, the offensive tackle suffered a torn patellar tendon, a serious knee injury that ended his college career.
It certainly cost him millions of dollars, causing him to fall in the draft despite being one of the most physically-gifted offensive linemen in this year’s class. The outcome seemingly worked perfectly for the Kansas City Chiefs, who were able to trade down one spot, accumulating a fifth-round pick, before taking Simmons with the 32nd overall selection.
Four months later, Simmons is a starting left tackle to protect the best quarterback in football. Life is fast, and sometimes this can be a good thing.
“I love for these guys to have the opportunity to go out there and accept the challenge,” Patrick Mahomes said after the Chiefs practice in Brazil on Thursday. “Josh has had a great camp and he’s had a great offseason. He’s had a great college career, and now he gets the next challenge to play in the NFL, and I think he’s ready for it. And so, I think throughout the whole offensive line, they’ve taken it personal, and what a showcase they truly are. We’ve got a lot of great players up there, and I think they’re ready to take the challenge.”
A new beginning for the Chiefs
While there is an obvious challenge for a rookie to start at left tackle from Day 1, it’s probably still a better outcome for the Chiefs than what happened last year. Four players had a significant number of snaps at left tackle in 2024: Wanya Morris (676), Joe Thuney (218), Kingsley Suamataia (160), and DJ Humphries (92).
But Simmons is not starting only because there’s no high-level competition. In addition to taking him in the draft, the Chiefs also signed Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal in free agency. The rookie took the position over, and the high-priced addition starts the season as a swing tackle.
“That’s a tough deal, but he’s worked very hard at solidifying that position and making sure he has an opportunity to play,” head coach Andy Reid said about a rookie starting at left tackle from the jump. “It was a big challenge for him throughout training camp. I think he’s handled it right. He has the honor of going against some good defensive ends this week and so, you know, I anticipate him stepping up and rising to that challenge.”
The list of edge rushers on the other side highlights Khalil Mack, a potential future Hall of Famer. It’s not an easy task, but Josh Simmons seems to have the ability to overcome challenges—and the first game of the regular season in Brazil is just the next one.
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