The Kansas City Chiefs took OT Josh Simmons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and earmarked him to protect QB Patrick Mahomes' blind side at left tackle. Things didn't go as planned, though, as he played in just eight games and was flagged for seven penalties.
Simmons spent the offseason reconstructing his body, and head coach Andy Reid has taken notice. In June, Reid said Simmons gained lead weight, not cheeseburger weight.
“He put on weight in the offseason. He’s been able to maintain it,” Reid said. “I think it’ll help him, not that he couldn’t do it at the other weight, but this gives him a little bit more lead in his pants, and that pays off for you. Over time, it pays off for you during the season.”
When Simmons was drafted, he was 6-foot-5 and 317 pounds, but Simmons admitted he lost weight during the course of his rookie season and got down to around 285 pounds.
The Athletic's Jesse Newell wrote that Simmons has added noticeable weight between June minicamp and training camp, and he has been impressive in one-on-ones and the screen game.
With Mahomes returning from a torn ACL and LCL, his protection is the most important it has been in his illustrious career. If Simmons' dedication in the offseason translates on the field, and the team hits on training camp standout RT Kahlil Benson, they could have both starting tackles on rookie contracts for the next four seasons. That would do wonders for their salary cap situation moving forward as they move into a re-tooling phase after their dynasty concluded.
