The Kansas City Chiefs invested in Patrick Mahomes' future with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft as Brett Veach and the Chiefs brain trust in the front office tabbed former Ohio State University offensive lineman Josh Simmons as their man with the No. 32 overall pick.
While an injury to his patellar tendon shortened his 2024 campaign, Simmons is expected to be healthy for training camp and should present a great value pick for Kansas City as many pundits have suggested Simmons would have been selected much higher had it not been for that injury.
Regardless of the path he had to take to get to the NFL, Simmons is approaching this opportunity with the Chiefs in the appropriate way and has said all of the right things to help excite fans about what he will bring to the table. One promise, in particular, should bring a smile to members of Chiefs Kingdom.
"The best four years that they've ever gotten out of anybody," Simmons said, via Harold Kuntz of Fox4 News Kansas City. Obviously, I'm going to work my tail off. I know this tradition is extremely big on always winning. So, that's all I am going to do. I'm going to just come in work my tail off, put my head down, and work."
Shortly after making Simmons the next member of Kansas City's roster, Veech met with the media and spoke about what makes the former Buckeyes standout the perfect fit to help keep the Chiefs at the top of the AFC.
"I think everyone knows that when he's healthy and with the tape he had early on last year before the injury, it puts him in the upper echelon of what he could be as a future starter and difference-maker at left tackle," said General Manager Brett Veach. "Had it not been for that injury, he's probably not there."
Protecting the blindside of Mahomes is one of the most important jobs in the NFL and that duty is soon to be placed squarely on the shoulders of Simmons. While no one can predict what the future will hold, Simmons' approach coupled with the belief that the front office and coaching staff has in him, should pay dividends for Kansas City for years to come.