Frustrations amongst Kansas City Chiefs fans around left tackle Josh Simmons have been unrelenting ever since the midway point of last year. Whether it was leaving last season due to a personal matter or injuries to end the 2025 season, missing time defined his rookie season. Now, we are two games into the season, and Simmons has yet to play or even participate fully in a practice.
Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has stepped up admirably in Simmons' absence. The former Indiana Hoosier has not allowed a sack in what has been a solid start to his career. While it hasn't been perfect, as the Chiefs' offense has game-planned around Benson's shortcomings, any pressure for Simmons to return quickly has been lowered dramatically.
Kansas City starting 2-0 and being so offensively consistent has simply taken away what felt like a vital health concern for the Chiefs. Benson, while not perfect, has performed about as well as anyone could expect out of a guy making his first two NFL starts in a position unknown to him for the span of his entire college playing career.
Chiefs sense of urgency for Josh Simmons to make his return is very quickly dissipating
It'll be interesting to watch how the Chiefs navigate the tackle position as the year goes on. By all accounts, it sounds like the Chiefs are targeting a Week 6 return for Simmons back at his rightful place at Mahomes' blindside.
Whether KC keeps veteran Jaylon Moore at right tackle, where he has also played above-average through two games, or continues to give Benson a shot will be telling. Injuries in the NFL are often well out of a player's control. Still, this is an undeniably underwhelming start to Simmons' career, as the Chiefs were counting on the tackle to be a building block for the future.
Kansas City has scored 64 points in their first two contests, with the first 31 points coming against a highly respected Denver defense. It is hard to argue you could've expected to see much more from Benson and the KC offense as a whole. The longer that the unit performs at this level without Simmons in the lineup, the less important the tackle appears to be for the future.
Having so many injury issues in a short span is unfortunate and not a great sign that Simmons is the cornerstone piece he appeared to be. It will be interesting to watch how the Chiefs navigate this and whether Benson finds a way to stick in the starting lineup.
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