Patrick Mahomes apparently isn't interested in watching a teammate argue with Andy Reid, especially when the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs are trying to get through a meeting.
That's what offensive tackle Josh Simmons reportedly learned when a disagreement with Reid ended with Mahomes telling him to leave the room.
The incident happened just a couple of weeks ago, but Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter recently weighed in on the confrontation while appearing on the Fully Loaded Podcast. And if Simmons was hoping somebody would criticize Mahomes for stepping outside his role as quarterback, Carter wasn't going to be that guy.
Patrick Mahomes wasn't about to let Josh Simmons argue with Andy Reid
According to reports, Simmons had his feet elevated during an offensive meeting when Reid asked him to put them down.
Simmons explained that he was uncomfortable physically due to a lingering back injury. Reid then told Simmons to get treatment if his back was hurting so much.
That should have been the end of it.
Instead, the conversation escalated to frustration, and Mahomes eventually stepped in. He told Simmons to leave the meeting and get treatment.
Now, there's a fair argument that Simmons was simply trying to relieve some discomfort. The tackle has battled injuries, and nobody outside that room knows exactly how he was feeling.
But Reid wasn't asking him to practice through an injury. He was telling him to get treatment.
There's also something unusual about Mahomes being the one to end the conversation. Players generally aren't the ones dismissing teammates from meetings.
Then again, most players aren't Patrick Mahomes.
Cris Carter has no problem with what Mahomes did
Speaking on the Fully Loaded Podcast on October 30th, Carter was asked whether Mahomes should have that kind of authority.
He didn't hesitate to defend him.
Carter explained that established veterans frequently handle situations inside NFL locker rooms. Sometimes they're quarterbacks. Sometimes they're defensive leaders. Either way, certain players have earned enough respect to speak up when something isn't right.
Mahomes has spent years building that standing in Kansas City.
Carter also had plenty of praise for Reid, describing him as one of the league's most understanding coaches when it comes to dealing with players.
Reid has coached some difficult personalities throughout his career. He's hardly someone who needs his quarterback to protect him from every disagreement.
But Carter's point wasn't that Reid needed rescuing. It was that Mahomes had every right to help settle a situation that was going nowhere.
And frankly, it's difficult to picture Reid having a problem with his quarterback telling a player to follow the coach's direction.
Josh Simmons has more pressing concerns than a meeting room argument
The unfortunate part for Simmons is that this incident has become another storyline during a frustrating start to his NFL career.
Kansas City drafted him in the first round to help solve its problems at offensive tackle. Injuries have kept him from becoming the consistent presence the Chiefs envisioned.
Carter discussed the pressure during the podcast, particularly the expectations placed on young players who enter the league with first-round pedigrees.
He also questioned whether Simmons was doing everything necessary to maximize his recovery, although Carter acknowledged he didn't know the full details of his treatment.
Nobody should turn speculation about a player's rehabilitation into a confirmed accusation.
Simmons reportedly apologized afterward, and Reid made clear that the incident wasn't responsible for the tackle landing on injured reserve.
As for Mahomes, he probably wasn't expecting this to become a national talking point. But when your quarterback tells a teammate to leave a meeting, people are going to notice.
The Chiefs need Simmons healthy and contributing. They also need everyone on the same page, particularly with their championship expectations.
Carter believes Mahomes handled the situation appropriately. Whether Simmons agrees is something only those inside Kansas City's locker room can answer.
For now, the young tackle has an opportunity to put the incident behind him. Getting back on the field and proving he can protect Mahomes would be a pretty good place to start.
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