Josh Simmons's Future with Chiefs Uncertain After Sideline Confrontation

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons's tenure with the team may be over following a contentious interaction with head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. NFL insider Ian Rapoport indicated on ESPN that the team's confidence in Simmons, particularly his ability to protect Mahomes, has been shaken.

"There are a lot of questions about Josh Simmons, who is as talented a left tackle as you could possibly get," Rapoport stated on "Big Day with Peter Schrager." "He is a stud as a player. I don’t know if he plays for the Chiefs again. I don’t know when he plays for the Chiefs again. There’s nothing more important than protecting Patrick Mahomes. You have to believe in the person doing it, and until that happens, I don’t know that he’s out there."

The incident occurred when Reid asked Simmons to remove his feet from a desk during a team meeting. Simmons, 33, reportedly responded that he was experiencing back and hip pain, leading Reid and Mahomes to instruct him to leave and seek medical attention. Simmons later issued an apology for the exchange.

Simmons was subsequently placed on injured reserve with a herniated disc in his lower back. The lineman, a first-round draft pick in 2025 from Ohio State, has not played in a game this season due to the injury. His previous season was also limited, playing in only eight games after missing time for a family matter and undergoing season-ending surgery for a fractured wrist.