Andy Reid knows the stakes-and he’s placing his trust in a rookie recovering from a major injury to protect the most valuable asset in Kansas City.
Josh Simmons, the 6-foot-6 offensive lineman recovering from a torn patellar tendon, is being eyed by the Chiefs’ head coach as a potential game-changer on the offensive line-and the key to keeping Patrick Mahomes upright.
“He’ll definitely be ready for training camp,” Reid confidently told Sports Illustrated. “He’ll be able to do some stuff up until then.”
While Simmons has yet to take live reps, his return is steadily gaining momentum. At minicamp, the former college standout participated in positional drills for the first time-a strong sign that his full recovery is nearing just in time for training camp in late July.
Simmons is a true left tackle
Behind the scenes, Simmons has quietly impressed coaches by diving into rehab, mastering the playbook, and peppering the staff with questions-a calm and focused approach that belies the growing buzz surrounding him in Chiefs Kingdom.
The trust didn’t come overnight. Kansas City did its homework, meeting Simmons at the Combine, inviting him for an official top-30 visit, and conducting multiple Zoom interviews-even as recently as a day before minicamp.
“We felt like he was a true left tackle,” Reid said. “He’s flexible, so he can play any spot, but particularly the left tackle spot-if and when he can jump in there.”
The Chiefs found their missing piece
With Mahomes being a right-handed quarterback and facing elite edge rushers nearly every week, Reid knows how critical it is to lock down the blind side. And Simmons, despite his injury, has all the tools to do it.
“He would have been a top five or ten pick,” Reid added. “He’s good in the run and pass game. But obviously you’re looking for guys that can anchor down in the pass game… That becomes important, especially on the left side.”
If Simmons delivers on that potential, Mahomes may have just found his new bodyguard-and the Chiefs could be even scarier heading into 2025.
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