The Kansas City Chiefs officially kick off preseason on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals, a familiar early-season opponent during Patrick Mahomes' career. After losing in brutal fashion to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, this Chiefs unit is out for vengeance.
Saturday represents fans and players' first opportunity to see sweet revenge. It's been an eventful last six months with general manager Brett Veach trying to solve the roster woes that led to a meltdown in the trenches, which ended hopes of a three-peat.
In order to solve the offensive line, Veach brought two players in: former San Francisco 49ers backup swing tackle Jaylon Moore and first-round Ohio State star Josh Williams. Both, unfortunately and fortunately, one of those guys has clearly outshone the other in training camp.
Patrick Mahomes thoughts on Josh Simmons: “When you watch him on tape, you realize how talented he was, how strong he was, and the way he was able to move.” pic.twitter.com/nwJvseghJS
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) August 8, 2025
Chiefs Rookie LT Josh Simmons Cleary Outshining Jaylon Moore
"When you watch him on tape, you realize how talented he was, how strong he was, and the way he was able to move," Mahomes told reporters in reference to Simmons. It was long thought that the ex-Buckeye was a top-10 type of talent, though he fell due to concerns about his patellar tendon tear.
Kansas City took advantage, which left the front office in a tough spot since Simmons is now the presumptive starter. On the one hand, Moore provides a level of insurance that the position group has lacked in recent years. On the other hand, $30 million is a lot to sit on the bench after you already traded the best left guard around in Joe Thuney.
No fan should be upset about the moves. Veach didn't know that Simmons would be available. If he did, would he have traded Thuney and given Moore $30 million? Maybe, maybe not. That's less important than what the line will look like.
Look at Josh Simmons working some indy pass pro drills. Quick feet. #Chiefskingdom pic.twitter.com/9QueLKsZFn
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) July 22, 2025
Simmons will start Week 1 at left tackle. Center would be Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith, and presumably right tackle will be Jawaan Taylor (but maybe not?). That leaves a battle between Kingsley Suamataia, Mike Caliendo, and Moore for left guard. Based purely on experience and the film, Moore should have an advantage.
He ranked 25th out of 140 qualified tackles at Pro Football Focus in 2025, which suggests the Chiefs made a good signing. Nonetheless, the fact that Moore isn't even remotely competitive for the left tackle job illustrates just how much more impressive Simmons has been.
Signing Moore may have been a mistake, but drafting Simmons certainly wasn't.