Buckeye great and former Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons is taking headlines right now. He’s beginning a thrilling new chapter — one with the Kansas City Chiefs. Simmons was just the 32nd player picked in this year’s NFL draft. Now, he’s returning to prominence after a major injury cut short his last year at Ohio State. The good news: The Chiefs seem very high on his potential, even through big obstacles from his time at Florida State, mostly in terms of pass protection.
Simmons’ path to this moment hasn’t been without its challenges. He missed the last third of the college football season with a torn patellar tendon that caused him to go out early on a stretcher. Before that injury he was already on the bench in September due to lackluster showing in pass protection. The Chiefs envisioned Simmons as one of the best young tackles drafted in the last several years, despite these failures. They are all looking forward to see what he can do with a real shot at the gig.
A Promising Start
Simmons put together a career performance in the regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. This impressive performance raised hopes not only for him but for the Chiefs. He turned in an impressive learning curve for his switched position, proving versatility and recovery ability after a rocky year.
The Chiefs’ coaching staff expressed enthusiasm about Simmons’ potential contributions to the team. As head coach Andy Reid said, “It’ll be awesome to have those guys out there.” This is a big statement of confidence in Simmons from the coaching staff as they bring him into their program and system.
Continuity will definitely be key, but Reid recognizes the need to incorporate new talent on the line. “You’re going to look for the best you can start with to fill in that spot and have a little consistency there,” he stated. This emphasis on building a foundation first is extremely important, especially considering how poorly the team played in the trenches last year.
Navigating Challenges
Even with all those encouraging signs, Simmons is going to have a pretty uphill battle making the leap to the pro level. Given his lack of success at left tackle, he has a long ways to go before becoming a sure thing. The Chiefs understand this and are willing to invest in and help develop his talent.
Reid admitted that some patience will be needed in Simmons’ acclimation process. “By the time you get out of this camp, you’d like to have an idea of who that is. You want to have a feel on it,” he mentioned. That doesn’t mean the coaching staff won’t be watching Simmons’ progress with a hawk’s eye throughout training camp though.
Simmons’ adaptability to the Chiefs playbook and playing style will be a major subplot throughout camp. Transitioning from college football to the NFL is incredibly difficult. This is doubly true for players who have had misfortunes already in their careers. Simmons has shown promise, and the team remains hopeful about his future contributions.
Team Dynamics and Future Prospects
No one more than the Chiefs themselves understands the value of establishing a proper line when it comes to forming a united front, their offensive line. Reid reflected on past experiences, stating, “When they were together out there last year for camp, that was a positive for us.” This is further evidence that collaboration and team chemistry are perhaps the most important ingredients for on-field success.
As Simmons gets comfortable with the Chiefs’ system and starts to feel at home, he’ll further accelerate his own career. His development will make the entire offensive line greener and more productive. The Chiefs have struggled with inconsistency over the past few years. If the Rockets do suddenly find a way to turn it all around, Simmons’ improvement will likely have been the catalyst.
Looking forward, the Chiefs are clearly dedicated to building a culture where Simmons is set up to succeed. Reid stressed that they “didn’t have that last year,” underscoring a wish for more certainty in planning for the future. As was clear throughout the entire process, the coaching staff is highly dedicated to fostering a close relationship with Simmons to see him realize his potential.
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