Alright, so let’s break this down because something strange is definitely going on in Kansas City — and no, it’s not just the Taylor Swift effect anymore.
Josh Simmons, the Chiefs’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — a guy who was supposed to be a cornerstone of their offensive line — has now missed two straight games, and everyone around the organization is suddenly very tight-lipped about it.
Not injured. Not benched. Just… absent. And when a first-round pick just “disappears” in the middle of a season, people notice.
Let’s rewind for a second. Simmons was a force at Ohio State. Big, strong, fast — the kind of guy who makes scouts drool and defensive linemen nervous. He started the season with the Chiefs and played in five games, looking like he was settling into a long and promising career in front of Patrick Mahomes.
Then? Radio silence. He misses practice with “personal reasons” and now has missed back-to-back games. But here’s where things get even more interesting: he wasn’t listed on the injury report before the game against the Lions. That means it wasn’t medical — at least, not in the way the NFL usually defines it.
Andy Reid gave a classic no-update update, passing the ball to GM Brett Veach. Veach, in turn, says nothing publicly. Even team owner Clark Hunt said, “I really can’t comment.” Translation: something’s going on, but no one wants to say what.
Now, Mahomes added a layer of real seriousness to it all. He hinted that Simmons is dealing with something significant.
A family matter, according to one report, and Mahomes mentioned he’s “always praying for him.” That’s not a throwaway line. That’s Mahomes saying, “This is bigger than football.”
And while all this is going down, the Chiefs offense has actually picked up steam. They’ve looked more cohesive, sharper — with back-to-back wins against the Lions and Raiders. Coincidence? Maybe. But Simmons’ absence hasn’t slowed the machine down.
Still, the story here isn’t just wins and losses. It’s the complete lack of clarity around a player who was supposed to be a major part of the team’s future. In the NFL, “personal reasons” can mean a lot of things, but when everyone involved is dodging questions, it’s safe to say the situation is serious — and possibly still unfolding.
