The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to bold moves and big expectations, but this offseason, much of the buzz in Chiefs Kingdom is centered on a rookie left tackle whose arrival could reshape the team’s fortunes in the trenches. Josh Simmons, the Chiefs’ first-round pick out of Ohio State, has already turned heads in practice and is earning comparisons to some of the NFL’s greatest offensive linemen. Even a future Hall of Fame is taking notice of Simmons’ potential as an NFL left tackle.
The excitement reached a new level when Jason Kelce, former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center and one of the NFL’s most respected voices on offensive line play, weighed in on Simmons’ potential. According to NBC Sports, on the “New Heights” podcast, which Kelce co-hosts with his brother Travis (the Chiefs’ own superstar tight end), Jason revealed he had studied Simmons’ college tape extensively. His verdict? “This kid…he is the closest thing I’ve seen to a Trent Williams,” Kelce said, referencing the perennial All-Pro left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. Kelce highlighted Simmons’ rare combination of strength and athleticism, noting that the only reason Simmons fell to the Chiefs in the draft was due to an injury concern.
Such praise carries significant weight, especially coming from a player with Kelce’s pedigree. Kelce is known for his honest, no-nonsense evaluations, making his comparison of Simmons to Williams, a likely Hall of Famer, all the more meaningful.
The Chiefs will certainly take favorable comparisons when it comes to the left tackle position. That spot has been a weak point over the past two seasons despite the success Kansas City has had. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chief’s average grades in both overall performance and pass blocking hovered just above 50, significantly below the standard for a championship contender. In contrast, Trent Williams’ “down year” in 2024 still saw him post elite grades in the mid-80s.
Simmons graded out much higher at Ohio State, but obviously college performance and professional performance is not an apples to apples comparison. Still, after adjusting Simmons’ grades to account for a drop-off that normally happens during a transition from college to the NFL, Simmons’ projected overall and pass blocking grades are significantly higher than what the Chiefs have fielded at left tackle recently. This means Simmons will likely be an immediate upgrade the Chiefs’ protection for Patrick Mahomes, even as a rookie.
What sets Simmons apart isn’t just the praise from legends, it’s the advanced analytics. Last season at Ohio State, Simmons allowed just one pressure in roughly 300 pass blocking snaps, an astonishing 99.7% success rate. In true pass set situations, where linemen are most exposed, he surrendered only one pressure in about 100 reps. These figures outpaced not just his peers in the 2025 draft class, but also several established college stars expected to excel at the next level.
It’s important to highlight that it’s not just former greats singing this rookie’s praises. Chiefs offensive linemen, including standout guard Trey Smith, have raved about Simmons’ strength and talent. “He’s unbelievably strong, and the talent is there as well,” Smith said. Coaches and teammates alike have been impressed with Simmons’ quick adjustment to the NFL game and his work ethic in offseason workouts.
The Chiefs reached the Super Bowl last season despite ranking just 17th in the NFL in pass blocking. Even a modest improvement in this area, say, moving from 17th to 12th, could have a compounding effect on the entire offense. Better protection for Mahomes means more time for deep shots to emerging stars like Xavier Worthy, potentially unlocking new dimensions in the Chiefs’ already potent attack.
Landing Simmons at the end of the first round is a major coup for Kansas City. Not only does he address a glaring need, but his ceiling, if he stays healthy, could place him among the league’s elite at one of football’s most important positions. With Simmons reportedly “full go” for training camp, optimism is high that he can deliver on his immense promise.
With Andy Reid at the helm, Patrick Mahomes under center, and a roster loaded with talent, the Chiefs are once again expected to contend for a Super Bowl. The addition of Josh Simmons, a player drawing comparisons to Trent Williams and earning rave reviews from one of the smartest offensive line minds in the game, could be the missing piece that helps Kansas City maintain its dynasty.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes in Chiefs Kingdom will be on Simmons, and if the early reviews are any indication, they have plenty of reason to be excited.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
