The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2026 season with a chip on their shoulder and doubters galore. It's a feeling that is not unknown to them, despite all the winning that's gone on in the Patrick Mahomes era, and the lack of league-wide, media respect that has come with it.
There are a number of questions unanswered about this Chiefs team right now. How healthy is Mahomes coming off a torn ACL? How will a depleted wide receiver and edge-rusher room shake out? Is Chris Jones still great enough to anchor the defense? Does a 68-year-old Andy Reid finally come to his senses and overhaul his offensive scheme? Just to name a few.
However, one bright spot that Chiefs fans can find some comfort in is the elevation Josh Simmons expects to take in year two at left tackle. What was a rookie season where the 32nd overall pick disappeared for a month midway through the year, to then come back, and after three games, break his wrist, landing him on injured reserve, overshadowed the eight games he did play in which the former Ohio State Buckeye's performance was simply excellent.
The Josh Simmons breakout Chiefs fans have been waiting for is just weeks away
Simmons draft process was very media-fueled and narrative-driven. There were inclinations that perhaps he didn't seem as committed to the game as a first-round pick should be, and despite his talent lacked the innate want-to of a franchise blindside protector. He was also coming off a serious torn patellar injury, which played a part in his falling to the bottom of the first round. Simmons talent alone warranted him being a top-10 pick.
All the doubts surrounding Simmons' grittiness and, in a sense, "dog mentality" were put to bed as the then 22-year-old tenaciously worked his way back to 100% before the season's start and quickly took hold of the starting LT spot in Chiefs training camp.
His first five games of the season were truly special, save for a trio of penalties, something you'd expect from a rookie, especially with the unorthodox cadence of Mahomes pre-snap. Then his disappearance, for reasons still unexplained, left a sour taste in Chiefs fans' mouths and no doubt the team itself. But when he returned from what was deemed a family matter, he continued to flash his elite talent in weeks 11,12, and 13 before suffering his wrist ailment.
Josh Simmons' snatch-🪤 technique putting rushers on their face x 6 in Week 12 pic.twitter.com/abN6qVHMEw
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 24, 2025
The guy was simply a beast on the field, despite his "commitment" to the game still somewhat being in question. In 525 snaps played at left tackle, Simmons allowed just two quarterback hits. His on-field excellence garnered respect from the likes of future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce via the New Heights Show.
"This kid is the closest thing I've seen to like a Trent Williams. Just that next level strength and athleticism," Kelce said. That's high praise for a guy like Simmons, who has played basically half a season, to a 12-time Pro Bowler like Williams. And while they are different body types, Kelce's admiration for Simmons' strength and athletic ability check out. He's got it all. Fast feet, a quick punch off the snap, long arms, a stern lower-half to anchor, and a ridiculously stout chest.
It's hard to know what exactly to expect from Simmons in year two, but if this offseason is any indication, Kansas City may have finally found a career-long LT to protect their three-time Super Bowl MVP signal-caller. Simmons staying healthy and on the field for a full season could alleviate a lot of offensive woes the Chiefs have had in years past in the blink of an eye.
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