Chiefs rookie Josh Simmons is building something special up front

It’s been just four games into his NFL career, but Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons has already shown why the organization was confident enough to plug him into one of the most high-pressure roles in all of football.

Starting at tackle for a Super Bowl contender led by Patrick Mahomes is no soft landing spot, but Simmons has responded with consistency and technique well beyond his years.

Across 178 pass pro snaps through the first month of the campaign, Simmons has surrendered just one sack—an impressive number on its own, but even more notable given the opponents he’s faced.

The Chiefs opened their schedule against four of the most experienced and physically loaded defensive fronts in the NFL: the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens. Each week presented Simmons with a new slate of proven pass rushers, and each week he’s held his own.

Against the Chargers, he saw plenty of Khalil Mack, one of the NFL’s most productive sack artists of the last decade, known for his power and hand usage. Simmons showcased a strong anchor and balance, absorbing bull rushes without ceding major ground.

Through four games, rookie Josh Simmons has anchored the Chiefs’ line with surprising composure.

In Week 2, the Eagles rolled out a deep rotation featuring Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. In that matchup, Simmons’ footwork and recovery ability in his vertical sets limited pressures off the edge and helped Mahomes operate cleanly from the pocket.

The Giants and Ravens tested a different element of his game. New York’s front threw stunts and games his way, relying on the trio of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and fellow rookie Abdul Carter to force communication breakdowns. Simmons handled the twists efficiently, displaying chemistry with the guards inside and keeping rush lanes sealed.

And in his most recent start, Baltimore tested him with speed-to-power and a variety of alignments.

What stands out most is his composure, as rookie tackles can often struggle with timing, losing reps with early punches or late feet. What stands out most is his composure, as rookie tackles can often struggle with timing, losing reps with early punches or late feet.

Kansas City’s offensive structure has also helped him acclimate, but he hasn’t needed much insulation. The Chiefs have not dramatically altered their protection calls to hide him, and Mahomes has been able to sit comfortably for a large part of the first four weeks, despite the Chiefs failing to meet expectations thus far.

The biggest compliment through four weeks is that Simmons hasn’t looked like a rookie. His body control, strike timing, and physical strength have all translated quickly.

There will be bumps as the season wears on—there always are for first-year tackles—but his early tape suggests the Chiefs found a long-term answer at one of the league’s premium positions. If this is the baseline, Kansas City has every reason to believe he’ll only get better as his confidence and experience grow within an offense where Super Bowl appearances are the expectation.