It was apparent to NFL pundits and fans that one of the reasons why the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 42-22 in Super Bowl LIX was their offensive line.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled in the game, getting sacked six times by the Eagles' pass rush - the most he has ever taken in a single game as an NFL quarterback. According to PFF’s initial analysis, Mahomes was pressured on 53.3% of his drop-backs outside of garbage time.
Now it looks like the offensive line may be getting some help in the form of first-round pick Josh Simmons, who is already receiving high praise from Mahomes.
During Kansas City's third day of OTAs (Thursday), Mahomes had high praise for his new left tackle during a press conference.
"He's built like a left tackle," Mahomes said. "I think that's the biggest thing you see. He looks great, he's moving well, he's doing all the right things, and he's working extremely hard."
The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder out of Ohio State was selected in the first round with the No. 32 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
According to the Chiefs' website, Simmons started for the eventual national champion Buckeyes throughout the first six games of the 2024 season before missing the final 10 with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, which contributed to his slide in the first round.
He started all 13 games for Ohio State in 2023 at right tackle after transferring from San Diego State, where he started all 13 games at left tackle.
Before drafting Simmons, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made additional changes to the offensive line in the offseason. He franchise-tagged guard Trey Smith, then traded guard Joe Thuney to the Bears.
Thuney started as left tackle in the Super Bowl due to injuries, a game in which he was considered overmatched. Even though he was a first-team All-Pro in 2024, Thuney is a 32-year-old veteran who is a year away from free agency.
Although Simmons is still recovering from his injury, Mahomes' assessment comes as promising news to Chiefs fans.
