Kansas City has a clear mission: to return to the Super Bowl, but this time with an offensive line capable of protecting their star. The 40-22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX didn’t just sting on the scoreboard; it exposed a structural weakness in the team. Mahomes was sacked six times in that final and endured his most pressured season ever, with 36 sacks in total.
Andy Reid understood quickly that to compete with confidence, the offensive front needed a makeover, especially to protect the quarterback’s blind side. That’s why, with the last pick of the first round in the 2025 Draft, the Chiefs chose offensive lineman Josh Simmons. His profile carried high risk but also immense potential. At 22 years old, standing 1.96 meters tall and weighing over 140 kilograms, when healthy, he is virtually impenetrable.
The last pick of the first round
Simmons entered the Draft as one of the most complete linemen in college football. His time at Ohio State showcased impressive stats, such as allowing zero sacks in his last full season and physically dominating his opponents. But everything changed when he suffered a severe knee injury, a torn patellar tendon, that sidelined him for the latter half of his final college year.
Concerns about his character also arose. Several teams passed on him, and what once seemed like a top-10 selection dropped all the way to 32nd overall, where Kansas City decided to take a chance. “From a pure talent standpoint, the Chiefs might have gotten the best value in the draft,” wrote Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report, calling him the team’s “most dangerous addition” for 2025.
Simmons already making an impression in rookie camp
Just weeks after being drafted, Simmons joined the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp. Although he hasn’t yet participated in contact drills, he’s impressed the coaching staff with his attitude, attention to detail, and energy. “It’s great,” he said at a press conference. “Everything you want as a player is here. The playbook isn’t as complex as I imagined, but it’s different from Chip Kelly’s system, so you have to study it well.”
Far from seeking the spotlight, Simmons has shown humility. “My job is to stay back, learn from the veterans, and contribute where needed. I’ll be useful if I’m ready,” he stated. Andy Reid, always cautious with rookies, hinted that if Simmons is healthy by training camp, he could start as the left tackle. That position has been unstable for the Chiefs for over a season.
The departure of two-time All-Pro Joe Thuney left a massive gap on the offensive line. Kansas City is also grooming Jaylon Moore as a backup option, but plan A is clear: Simmons must take the job and turn it into a fortress. His versatility, physical power, and technique could be the ultimate answer to protecting Mahomes and stabilizing the run game.
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