Josh Simmons’ Future with Kansas City Chiefs in Doubt

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Josh Simmons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to fill the role of their starting left tackle for potentially a decade. However, his future with the team is now uncertain as he approaches the end of his second season.

Simmons, aged 23, reportedly had a heated disagreement with head coach Andy Reid prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks. Both Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes advised Simmons to leave a team meeting, following which he was placed on injured reserve due to a persistent back issue.

Simmons was sitting with his feet up in the offense’s meeting room when Reid asked him to put his feet down, according to multiple sources who witnessed the interaction, reported Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Simmons pushed back by telling Reid he had to sit that way because his back and hips were aching. Reid instructed Simmons to get treatment from the athletic trainers if he was indeed in pain. The argument disrupted the meeting until Mahomes also advised Simmons to get treatment. Although Simmons left the room, he did not exit the building.

Of significant concern is that Simmons has missed 15 of 23 games since being drafted 32nd overall two seasons ago. Ian Rapoport expressed skepticism about Simmons’ future with the Chiefs, telling ESPN’s Peter Schrager, There are a lot of questions about Josh Simmons, who is as talented a left tackle as you could possibly get. He is a stud as a player. I don’t know if he plays for the Chiefs again. Protecting quarterback Mahomes is crucial, and trust in the player fulfilling this duty is essential.

In Simmons’ absence, undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson has taken over the starting left tackle position. Benson has performed remarkably, giving up only 16 pressures and eight hurries on 374 offensive snaps, without allowing a single sack across six games, according to Pro Football Focus.