On Saturday, newly drafted Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons took the podium in Kansas City for the first time as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, who took the 22-year-old with their first selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
After trading back one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles — and picking up a fifth-round selection — the Chiefs snagged Simmons at No. 32 overall. He spoke positively about his early experience in Kansas City during his first media availability.
“It’s great,” said Simmons of the team. “Everything you could ask for [as a] football player. The playbook is not as complex as I thought it’d be, but it’s different playbook than Chip Kelly, so [I’ve] got to do a bit of studying.”
The primary question surrounding Simmons involves his availability, considering he is still only a little more than six months removed from suffering a torn patellar tendon in the Buckeyes’ 32-31 loss to the Oregon Ducks in mid-October. During Kansas City’s rookie minicamp, Simmons will primarily focus on studying the playbook and taking mental reps at practice.
“[I] attack rehab as hard as I can — that way, when training camp does come around, I can be the most help that I can possibly be,” said Simmons. “There’s nothing I can really do to force myself [into the lineup]. There’s a lot of vets in here. My thing is just stay out the way and work hard. Be a helpful piece if I can.”
Kansas City enters the offseason with three potential starters at its two offensive tackle positions for the coming season.
The Chiefs brought in veteran left tackle Jaylon Moore from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, while Jawaan Taylor projects to once again start for the team at right tackle. During draft weekend, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach revealed that Taylor is currently rehabbing from offseason surgery to clean up an issue with his knee.
In addition, head coach Andy Reid reaffirmed his long-held philosophy that the best five linemen will start, regardless of draft status. For Simmons, this weekend is the beginning of building that case.
“It’s not easy,” said Simmons of his rehab. “You have to come in and attack it like hell every day. Just really, really go hard in rehab — that’s how you have to do something like this.”
