A Second Chance at Solving the Left Tackle Position
The Kansas City Chiefs swung and missed at left tackle a year ago, but they believe they’ve found Patrick Mahomes’ future blindside protector. One year after selecting BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia with the 63rd overall pick, and watching him struggle under the pressure of NFL competition, Kansas City shifted gears.
This year, they spent a first-round pick on Ohio State’s Josh Simmons. Simmons, a tackle with immense potential, arrives with health concerns following a season-ending patellar tendon injury. The injury occurred midway through Ohio State’s national championship-winning season, yet Simmons has shown remarkable progress in his recovery.
Early Praise from Chiefs Veteran Travis Kelce
Simmons has already caught the attention of veteran tight end Travis Kelce during offseason activities. “He was playing defensive end as just like a scout team defensive end,” Kelce said of their interactions during OTAs and minicamp during an episode of their New Heights podcast.
“And he was just playing his gap, but he was being a pro. He was being locked in and being a pro. And I felt that man’s hands grab me, and I was like, ‘All right, I gotta come with it, even when he’s just giving the look. I gotta make sure I’ve got my feet planted, man.'”
High Praise from Jason Kelce
Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother and a future Hall of Fame center, echoed the sentiment. “I’ve watched a lot of these linemen coming out (of college) the last few years,” said Jason Kelce. “This kid, I mean, he is the closest thing I’ve seen to like a Trent Williams. Like that next level strength and athleticism. The only reason he fell to you guys is because of that injury.”
Guard Trey Smith Weighs In
Trey Smith, one of Kansas City’s top linemen, also shared his initial impressions of Simmons after the team’s spring workouts. “I haven’t seen him in action, but I just heard that he is so strong, like, unbelievably strong,” Smith said.
“So Trav, as you (were) saying about his hands, like, that’s perfect from what I’m hearing. But obviously the talent is there, man. He’s gonna be a great asset to the team. And I’m looking forward to it, bro.”
Addressing a Lingering Weakness
Even while reaching their third straight Super Bowl, the Chiefs’ biggest flaw was their offensive line. After the departure of veteran Donovan Smith, the team tried several replacements, including giving Wanya Morris an opportunity, but none proved effective. Eventually, they shifted guard Joe Thuney to tackle in an attempt to stabilize the line.
Though that move brought temporary relief, Kansas City’s offensive line settled into mediocrity and was ultimately overmatched by Philadelphia’s pass rush in Super Bowl LIX. This underperformance played a major role in the Chiefs’ decision to prioritize offensive line improvement for the 2025 season, resulting in the selection of Simmons. The Ohio State product brings agility and athleticism, as well as a strong body of work from his college career.
Travis Kelce believes Simmons has the potential to thrive within the team culture. “Oh yes, baby, get him in there, get him nice and ingrained in the culture we got over there, man,” he said. “Have some fun while we go and whip some (butt).”
