Chiefs Confirm Josh Simmons Out for Personal Matter; Offensive line faces immediate test

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed Tuesday that left tackle Josh Simmons is away from team activities for a personal matter, leaving a critical vacancy on the offensive line as Kansas City gears up for a pivotal stretch of games. The team has provided few public details, describing the situation as private; Simmons’ absence, however, is already reshaping game planning and raising real questions about pass protection and run-game continuity.

Why this matters

Left tackle is arguably the most consequential position on an offense when your quarterback is Patrick Mahomes. The blind-side protector anchors pass protection, sets the edge for outside runs and helps determine how comfortable a quarterback is in the pocket. When a projected starter is suddenly unavailable for non-injury reasons, the disruption extends beyond a single lineup change — it ripples into protection schemes, play-calling, and the identity of the offense.

Immediate lineup options

The Chiefs have a couple of in-house alternatives: a younger tackle who has shown flashes in camp and limited duty, and a veteran swing tackle with starting experience but limited recent reps at left tackle. Each option carries tradeoffs:

Younger option (Player A): Upside in athleticism and upside as a longer-term solution, but inconsistent against elite pass rushers—may struggle in isolated, long-developed pass sets.

Veteran swing (Player B): Reliable technique and experience, but potentially lacks the lateral mobility and length that Mahomes’ rollouts and bootlegs favor.

Expect Kansas City to mix personnel — extra tight-end chips, tight end staying in to block, quicker release concepts, and increased play-action looks from under center — to limit one-on-one left-edge exposure.

Schemes and adjustments you’ll likely see

With Simmons out, the immediate coaching priorities are simple: keep Mahomes clean and maintain the run game’s balance. Practical changes the Chiefs may deploy include:

More quick-game passing (three-step drops, quick screens, slants).

Increased use of chips from running backs and tight ends and pre-snap sliding protections.

Greater reliance on rollouts and bootlegs that allow Mahomes to use his mobility and remove the pocket from pressure angles.

Run-calls designed to feature the right side or inside zone work that avoids isolating the left tackle.

These are stopgaps that reduce risk but also subtly change the offense’s texture — fewer chunk throws and more schematic protection to compensate.

Short-term schedule test

How the line performs over the next three weeks will be revealing. Opponent one features an aggressive but containable pass rush; conservative protections and quick game plans can survive there. Opponent two presents a faster, more explosive front that will probe the left tackle more often and could force creative counters (rollouts, screens, draws). Opponent three looks opportunistic — if the line holds, the Chiefs can exploit mismatches; if they don’t, the game may tilt quickly because the defense will attack that side.

Depth, roster strategy and organizational philosophy

The Chiefs’ handling of Simmons’ roster spot will be telling. Choices before the coaches and front office are straightforward but consequential:

Protect the spot: Hold the roster slot open in hopes Simmons returns soon; signals organizational loyalty but limits short-term roster flexibility.

Replace temporarily: Add an experienced free agent or promote a practice-squad veteran to stabilize the position; this helps immediate performance but could create a logjam if Simmons returns.

Historically, Kansas City has shown a willingness to protect players through private matters while managing the roster carefully — balancing compassion with competitive needs.

What fans should watch for

Starter announcement: Who lines up at left tackle on game day? That answer frames everything.

Early-game protection calls: How often does the offense use extra blockers or quick routes versus letting the tackle handle one-on-ones?

Mahomes’ comfort: Is he stepping up in the pocket, or is pre-snap pressure altering his decision-making and timing?

Run-game production: Are outside runs and stretch plays still effective, or are defenses pinning the edge and forcing inside work?

Best- and worst-case scenarios

Best case: Simmons returns quickly, backups hold the line, Mahomes operates in a clean enough pocket for the offense to remain explosive.

Worst case: Simmons misses multiple games, the left side suffers sustained pressure, and the Chiefs must lean heavily on schematic fixes that dampen big-play potential.

Bottom line

Kansas City’s offensive identity — built around Mahomes’ playmaking and an opportunistic attack — is resilient, but not immune. The left tackle vacancy is more than a single depth note; it forces schematic concessions and test the unit’s depth. The Chiefs have the coaching staff and personnel to adjust, but the next few games will be a real measuring stick for how well the team can adapt without its projected starter.

Fan poll idea: Should the Chiefs protect Simmons’ roster spot while he’s away or sign a temporary replacement? Both choices carry competitive and cultural implications — what would you prefer and why?