The Kansas City Chiefs tried to address their offensive tackle needs by selecting Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The move was intended to provide a long-term, high-upside solution at left tackle to protect Patrick Mahomes. So far, however, that plan hasn’t worked out as expected.
Simmons has played in just eight games and has yet to make his 2026 season debut, while undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has started all five games at left tackle. On Wednesday, Simmons missed yet another Chiefs practice due to his back and personal reasons, further testing the fan base’s patience with the 23-year-old.
Chiefs Fans Go Off on Josh Simmons After Missed Practice
Although Benson has performed admirably under the circumstances, ranking No. 9 among offensive tackles with a PFN OL Impact Score of 81.9, the Chiefs would undoubtedly prefer to have a healthy Simmons back in the lineup.
Unfortunately, there’s no clear timeline for Simmons’ return, and his latest absence (with personal reasons cited in addition to his back issue) only adds to Chiefs fans’ frustration with his continued unavailability.
Many fans took to social media to vent, admitting they’ve grown tired of waiting for Simmons to live up to his potential.
“I wish him well. I do. But I’ve absolutely grown tired of this supposed potentially legendary LT being actually an unavailable mess. KC needs to focus on protecting its half-billion franchise-altering face-of-the-league generational future Hall of Fame and record-setting quarterback… more than its 32nd pick in a draft,” they wrote.
A second fan questioned Simmons’ desire to play, saying they don’t believe he wants to be on the field.
“I guess we’ll see in the end, but I just honestly don’t think he wants to play. Time will tell,” they wrote.
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One commenter went even further, predicting Simmons would never play another snap for the Chiefs.
“He will NEVER suit up in a Chiefs uniform again. Dude can’t play through a hangnail. Not to mention, he’s a mental health risk at all times,” they wrote.
“He might not ever play again. Lit a first-round pick on fire there. Missed more games than he’s played,” another Chiefs fan added.
Another fan urged the Chiefs to cut their losses and find a way to move on from Simmons.
“Need to figure out how to get out of this nightmare. Guy doesn’t wanna play,” the user wrote.
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Others were even more blunt, with one writing, “Release or try to trade him at this point. Unfortunately, a wasted pick.”
“If you want to keep your head in the sand about this guy, go ahead. I’ll be shocked if he plays another snap for this team,” remarked another user.
“They’re adding the personal designation, yeah, we are in trouble,” one fan wrote.
“‘Personal’? Yeah, it’s panic time for Josh Simmons,” another chimed in.
While the Chiefs have moved forward with Benson at left tackle, it’s unclear if the undrafted rookie is a long-term solution at the position and whether he can sustain this level of production.
Kansas City may have found a reliable replacement for now, but if Simmons continues to be unavailable, the Chiefs’ investment in their 2025 first-round pick could become a costly disappointment.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.