The Kansas City Chiefs have high hopes for their first-round pick, Josh Simmons, who has quickly established himself as their starting left tackle. Acquired in late April with the 32nd overall selection, Simmons has stepped into a critical role, primarily responsible for protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. Top coaches have repeatedly touted his play over the course of training camp. He shows no signs of stopping as Director of the new Office of Active Transportation and Special Needs.
Simmons’ path to seeing time as a starter has been rough at times. Last October, he ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee. This injury caused him to miss the remainder of his senior college season. Ever since becoming a Chief, Simmons hasn’t had a day off. He stayed behind in Kansas City during the players’ month-long vacation to get an early start on rehabilitation and treatment for his knee.
Even with his years of injury history, Simmons has shown impressive grit and willpower. He’s still doing maintenance-level work on his knee and is very positive about on his way back. “As we speak, I haven’t felt any issues with it yet,” he stated, reflecting his optimism and commitment to the team’s success.
Simmons has faced stiff competition throughout training camp. He’s battled seasoned defensive ends such as George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu one-on-one. He has held his own against these seasoned players, showcasing his strength and technique in one-on-one drills. He demonstrated great strength to fight off bull rushes from Charles Omenihu and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. This performance only helped to further establish his reputation as a dominating lineman.
His gamebreaking speed and ability to adjust has caught everyone’s attention and the NFL level so far. Simmons’ tireless work ethic was praised by Coach Andy Reid, who noted that he “has come in every single day and put the work in.” That commitment has turned into positive chemistry with offensive linemates, especially working on double teams in run blocking sets next to Kingsley Suamataia.
Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach added his praise of Simmons uncommon presence on field. “The kid has come out here and shown a little attitude and swagger,” Veach remarked, emphasizing the rookie’s confidence as a key asset in his development. Simmons himself noted the importance of learning from experienced players, stating, “It’s the best resource any rookie can have. Asking after a pass rush, ‘What did I do wrong here and how can I fix it?’”
Simmons’ proactive approach to learning has allowed him to significantly sharpen his game. He shared insights into the various techniques he has absorbed during training camp: “They put a plethora of different pass sets and different hand movements into my toolbox.” This broad training has given him the flexibility to adjust in the moment, enhancing his play to simply overpower challengers.
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