The Kansas City Chiefs used their 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Josh Simmons, a talented offensive lineman from Ohio State known for his elite pass-blocking skills.
But while Simmons brings tremendous upside to a team chasing its fourth straight Super Bowl appearance, questions about his consistency and commitment have raised eyebrows across the league.
The issue isn’t so much a lack of physical talent. Scouts and executives agree that Simmons has the ability to become a high-level starter in the NFL.
The concerns, instead, center around his work habits and priorities – the off-field intangibles that separate the good from the great.
“It’s the proverbial ‘character concerns’ that kept him out of the top 20, per those I spoke to around the league,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed.
“As one AFC personnel man put it: ‘Certain things are important to him – pass blocking, game day – but others are not, such as practices and run blocking.’”
Despite those red flags, the Chiefs may be the ideal environment for a player like Simmons to mature and thrive.
With a veteran-heavy locker room and a championship culture firmly in place, Kansas City is well-equipped to guide young talent toward long-term success.
“It’s up to the Chiefs, a veteran-laden team with a championship pedigree, to harness that ability and maximize the skill set,” Fowler added.
Of course, Simmons isn’t new to winning.
He was a key contributor at Ohio State during their national championship run and knows firsthand what a championship journey requires.
But as the Chiefs know better than anyone, elite success in the NFL is about more than just game-day performance.
Head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have built a culture of excellence based on preparation, discipline, and attention to detail – exactly the traits Simmons will need to develop… And he’ll have help.
Creed Humphrey, one of the NFL’s top centers, is expected to take on a mentorship role. At just 25 years old, Humphrey already boasts All-Pro credentials and understands the grind it takes to reach – and stay – at the top of the league.
Add in the leadership of Mahomes, who Simmons will be responsible for protecting on Sundays, and the structure is in place to help the rookie grow.
With his explosive pass protection and elite traits, Simmons has all the tools to become a franchise mainstay.
But it’s the so-called “little things” – effort in practice, commitment to run-blocking, and daily professionalism – that will determine whether he can reach that ceiling.
He’s also no stranger to adversity. Simmons battled back from a patellar tendon injury in college, showing resilience and work ethic in his rehab. Now, he’ll need to apply that same drive to the more nuanced parts of the pro game.
The Chiefs are betting that the combination of strong leadership, a winning culture, and Simmons’ raw ability can produce a breakout star. If it all clicks, Kansas City may have found a long-term anchor on their offensive line.
Having said that, the Chiefs are also the team that thought their veteran culture would help turn Kadarius Toney around … We all know how that experiment turned out.
All in all, is the drafting of Simmons a sign that Kansas City could be losing their edge? … Or will he end up proving the doubters wrong and turn into a reliable mainstay on the offensive line???
