The Kansas City Chiefs faced a glaring problem this offseason: how to keep Patrick Mahomes upright. After a season where the offensive line’s struggles left their superstar quarterback scrambling too often, the Chiefs knew fixing the left tackle position was priority number one. As training camp looms, the franchise is rolling the dice on a bold plan that could make or break their championship hopes—a rookie with a surgically repaired knee might just be the key to saving Mahomes.
In free agency, the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore, a reliable but unspectacular four-year backup from the San Francisco 49ers, to a two-year deal. Moore was a safe bet, a veteran patch for a position that’s been a revolving door of disappointment. But Kansas City wasn’t content with stopgaps. They doubled down in the draft, selecting Ohio State’s Josh Simmons in the first round, a gamble on a player once pegged as the top tackle prospect in the 2025 class. There’s just one catch: Simmons is coming off a torn patellar tendon, an injury that tanked his draft stock and raised red flags about his readiness for the NFL grind.
The fear was real—would Simmons, with his reconstructed knee, be able to handle the rigors of an NFL offseason? Could he log the reps needed to compete for a starting role in Year 1? Early returns, however, have silenced the skeptics. Simmons has been a revelation during the Chiefs’ offseason program, turning heads with his mobility, technique, and sheer determination. Head coach Andy Reid, not one for hyperbole, confirmed Simmons will be a full participant in training camp, a massive win for a team desperate for stability on Mahomes’ blind side.
CBS Sports singled out Simmons as the Chiefs’ standout storyline of the offseason, writing, “The Kansas City Chiefs desperately needed to fix the left tackle position, and they may have done just that with Josh Simmons. The Ohio State product was looked at as arguably the top tackle prospect in the 2025 class but fell to the Chiefs in the bottom of the first round due to a torn patellar injury. While that may have contributed to his fall, Simmons has been on the field throughout the offseason program, and Andy Reid also noted that he’ll be a full participant come training camp.”
The Chiefs’ ideal scenario is clear: Simmons, with his sky-high potential, seizes the starting job from Moore and becomes the long-term anchor at left tackle. Reid hasn’t ruled it out, hinting that the rookie could challenge for the role as training camp unfolds. But the real test awaits. Mahomes himself cautioned that Simmons’ true proving ground will be facing Steve Spagnuolo’s ferocious defense in camp, where the rookie will need to hold his own against Kansas City’s relentless pass rush.
The early signs are promising. Simmons’ recovery has been nothing short of remarkable, and his performance in minicamp showcased the athleticism and grit that made him a first-round talent. Still, it’s too soon to anoint him the savior of Kansas City’s offensive line. Training camp will reveal whether Simmons can sustain his momentum and handle the physical and mental demands of protecting the NFL’s most valuable player.
The Chiefs are betting big on their rookie, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. If Simmons delivers, he could solidify the line and give Mahomes the protection he needs to chase another Super Bowl. If he falters, Kansas City’s title hopes could take a hit. As the pads come on and the spotlight intensifies, all eyes will be on Josh Simmons. Can he rise to the challenge and save Mahomes—or will the Chiefs’ gamble come at a cost?