Chiefs’ Rising Star to Watch in 2025: Josh Simmons
With one preseason game remaining, we are inching closer to the start of the 2025 NFL season. It has become an annual ritual for the Kansas City Chiefs to host the inaugural game of the year, which will not be the case this time around.
The Chiefs kick off their season against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on Sept. 5. That being said, Kansas City will hope for a better ending to this season’s campaign, but that cannot transpire without several newcomers making an impact.
Multiple arriving players can make their presence known, but the one that is an automatic, reactionary answer for this conversation is rookie left tackle Josh Simmons.
Last season, the Chiefs’ passing offense left a lot to be desired. Most of the blame will be placed on injuries that marred the receiving corps, but the underlying culprit was the poor protection from the tackle positions, particularly on the left side, which was a revolving door. There is a more-than-likely possibility that this issue will be resolved this season with the former Ohio State tackle.
Simmons, who slipped to the end of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft due to a torn patellar tendon he suffered last season, cemented himself as the starting left tackle early in training camp.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had high praise for Simmons when speaking with Kay Adams last week following practice.
“He’s just a dog at the end of the day,” Mahomes told Adams. “He’s obviously working through being an NFL pro and becoming a veteran. But when it comes to pass blocking and run blocking, he can get the job done. That’s where it all starts. He’s getting tested out here by [Steve Spagnuolo] with the defensive line we have.”
“But I don’t think there was one specific moment. I think it’s more about hearing the defensive guys talk about him. He does the right things when you want a guy who’s going to go out there and contribute. The sky’s the limit. He has a chance to be one of the best there is at left tackle.”
High praise from the best quarterback in the NFL, and those comments have been vindicated, as Simmons has allowed zero pressures throughout the first two preseason games. Although it's a small sample size and limited snaps, Simmons has looked the part so far.
If Mahomes' assessment of Simmons is accurate, the Chiefs’ offense could be fully unlocked, as the 29-year-old quarterback would have more time to survey the entire landscape of the field. Mahomes can dissect any defense if he has enough time in the pocket, and Simmons is the missing piece to reviving the explosive passing attack that has been dormant for the past few seasons.