Left tackle was a position that the Kansas City Chiefs had trouble with in 2024, with the team making sure to bring in new talent. Protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blindside is of the utmost importance, and Josh Simmons is the next in line to take over that role.
Simmons was drafted with the final pick of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, coming out of Ohio State. The rookie fell down draft boards due to a torn patellar tendon last October, but looks to be fully healthy at the start of training camp.
Mahomes has had five different left tackles begin the season as his starting blindside blocker, and hopes to have finally found a long-term answer. The Chiefs drafted Kingsley Suamataia in the second round last year, but found he projects better at guard.
Having not played in a game since October 12, 2024, a slow start to training camp for Simmons would have been understandable. The rookie has quickly been acclimating to NFL competition however, lining up multiple times against Chris Jones and showcasing his elite athleticism.
Through the first few days of training camp, Simmons has consistently been lining up at left tackle with the rest of the starters on the offensive line. Fans and reporters have been pleasantly surprised with the success he's had so far, and expectations are starting to increase.
Despite only playing in six games during his final season of college football, Simmons was named an honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference by the league's coaches. The talent is there without a doubt, but how he’s been putting it all together is what’s been impressive.
Kansas City has had trouble finding a solid answer at left tackle for more than two seasons in a row, rotating through countless options on the outside. In 2024, the team was forced to move first-team all-pro guard Joe Thuney to tackle, doing anything possible to keep Mahomes upright.
The struggles haven’t come without investing resources in the position, with the aforementioned Suamataia being the second tackle drafted on day two of the draft in back-to-back years. Wanya Morris, who started 11 games in 2024, was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but projects to fill in as a depth piece.
Eric Fischer was the last offensive tackle to be selected in the first round for Kansas City, going first overall and putting together a nine-year career where he started 128 games. The Chiefs are hoping to get another long and productive career out of their newest addition.
Simmons has been drawing comparisons to Trent Williams on social media, and although those expectations may be a bit too lofty, if the 6-foot-5, 310-pound rookie can play at the level he showed in college, he could be a big reason Kansas City returns to the Super Bowl for the sixth time in seven seasons.