Chiefs may have found their future beyond Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot riding on the next season. They've got Travis Kelce back for at least one season. They've got Patrick Mahomes healthy again, at least almost. Those are good things.

But what means something even more than right now is the future of this franchise. Who are their rising young stars?

Andy Reid and company haven't forgotten that young, budding talent is where it's at. Reid is known for making young players, rookies, great. It's what they need to bounce back from their poor showing last season.

Chiefs may have found their future in under-25 star

Nick Shook of the NFL's official website released a tally of the best players under the age of 25 in the league. One is a Chiefs star: offensive tackle Josh Simmons.

"Another tackle whose 2025 campaign was abbreviated — first by personal reasons, then due to injury — Simmons proved the hype that first surfaced during Chiefs camp was not overblown when he took the field in September," Shook said. "He was remarkably solid in his first few games as a pro, seemingly answering Kansas City's persistent question at left tackle."

Shook noted that after Simmons missed four games because of a "family matter," a wrist injury got in the way of his rookie season. That was a bummer.

"The health issues will remain a concern, especially when considering the patellar tendon injury that tanked his draft stock, but if Simmons stays active, he’ll own a place on this team at this time next year, too -- and the Chiefs will be glad they took a risk on him with the 32nd pick two Aprils ago," Shook added.

So, this is a make-or-break year for Simmons. But if he succeeds, the Chiefs will have something to brag about.