KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line just got a shot in the arm. Head coach Andy Reid dropped a bombshell on April 24, 2025, announcing that left tackle Josh Simmons, the team’s prized first-round draft pick, will be ready to roll when training camp kicks off this summer. No ifs, ands, or buts—Simmons is on track, and Chiefs fans are already buzzing.
Simmons, the Ohio State standout snagged in the 2025 NFL Draft, isn’t your average rookie. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle was a force in college, but a torn patellar tendon in his left knee last October had some scouts whispering about his future. Those whispers? Dead wrong. Reid, never one to sugarcoat, laid it out plain: Simmons is healing fast and will “definitely” be on the field when the Chiefs gather for camp. He’s even expected to get some work in before then, easing into drills over the summer.
The Chiefs’ medical team isn’t messing around. They’ve run Simmons through every test in the book—MRIs, stress checks, you name it—and the results are glowing. The kid’s knee is holding up, and he’s attacking rehab like a man possessed. Kansas City’s front office, stung by last season’s left tackle woes, sees Simmons as the anchor they’ve been missing. With All-Pro guard Joe Thuney traded to the Bears and veteran Jaylon Moore signed as a stopgap, Simmons’ arrival couldn’t be timelier.
Draft night was a gamble, but the Chiefs did their homework. They pored over Simmons’ medicals, consulted specialists, and bet big on his recovery. So far, it’s paying off. Reid, speaking to reporters after the draft, didn’t mince words: the rookie’s progress is ahead of schedule, and the team’s banking on him to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side.
Simmons, for his part, isn’t resting on laurels. He’s grinding through rehab, hitting milestones, and eyeing a starting spot. The Chiefs’ training camp, set to open in late July, will be his proving ground. If he delivers, Kansas City’s offense could be a juggernaut.
For now, the focus is clear: Simmons is back, he’s ready, and the Chiefs are all in.