The Chiefs Already Have Their Next Great Player — And His Name Is Josh Simmons

The Kansas City Chiefs stand at a rare and uncomfortable crossroads. For nearly a decade, the franchise has been defined by a constellation of transcendent talents whose individual brilliance elevated an entire organization into dynasty territory. Patrick Mahomes remains the undisputed face of the team and the engine that makes everything possible. Yet the supporting pillars that turned potential into sustained excellence are shifting. Travis Kelce is approaching the final chapters of a Hall of Fame career. Chris Jones is nearing the end of his prime as one of the most disruptive interior defenders of his generation. The era that produced multiple Super Bowl titles and redefined what a modern NFL dynasty looks like is entering its twilight.

In that context, the question of who becomes the next great Chief carries unusual emotional weight. It is not simply about finding the next Pro Bowler or even the next All-Pro. It is about identifying a player with the combination of talent, durability, and longevity to become a foundational piece for another sustained run of contention. A player who can eventually be mentioned in the same breath as franchise legends, not because he replicates what came before, but because he forges a new standard of excellence in his own right. This is the conversation that unfolded among some of the sharpest film analysts and observers in Chiefs Kingdom, and one name emerged as the clear frontrunner.

Josh Simmons did not arrive in Kansas City with the fanfare of a top-10 pick. A patellar tendon tear in college caused him to slide all the way to the final selection of the first round. The Chiefs took a calculated risk on a player whose tape evaluators described as upper-tier NFL level even before he stepped onto an NFL field. When healthy, Simmons possesses a rare athletic profile for an offensive tackle. His footwork, lateral agility, and first-step quickness stand out immediately. He moves in space with the fluidity of a much smaller athlete while retaining the power to control rushers at the point of attack. His upper-body strength allows him to grab and redirect defenders in ways that few tackles his age can replicate. Those traits were evident from the moment he took the field as a rookie.

The 2025 season was anything but smooth. A family medical emergency pulled Simmons away from the team at a critical moment, and later a dislocated and fractured wrist ended his year prematurely. He played only eight games. Yet even in that limited sample, the flashes were unmistakable. High-end snaps revealed a player who was not merely surviving against NFL edge rushers but winning with a combination of athleticism and power that suggested significant untapped potential. Analysts who studied his college film had already flagged him as a prospect who could have gone much higher in the draft had injury not intervened. Those same traits translated immediately to the professional level.

What separates Simmons from many promising young players is the combination of elite physical tools and the clear trajectory of improvement. He is still learning how to best use his body, particularly in building lower-body strength and refining technique against the league’s most sophisticated pass-rush plans. The offseason transformation that saw him report to mini camp noticeably more muscular and defined was not merely cosmetic. It reflected the daily work of a player determined to maximize every physical advantage. For the first time in several years, Simmons enters a season with a completely healthy body and no major rehab to manage. That alone represents a significant step forward.

The case for Simmons as the next great Chief rests on more than raw talent. He is already on his second contract pathway and has shown the mental makeup required to handle the unique pressures of playing left tackle for Patrick Mahomes. Protecting the franchise quarterback is a sacred responsibility in Kansas City, and Simmons has demonstrated both the physical tools and the competitive temperament to embrace that role long-term. His ceiling is not merely that of a good starter. It is the ceiling of a perennial Pro Bowl player with legitimate Hall of Fame potential, the kind of player who could anchor an offensive line for a decade.

Other names surfaced in the discussion, each with legitimate arguments. Xavier Worthy possesses the kind of top-end speed that can transform an offense when healthy, and some believe his best football remains ahead of him if he can string together a full, productive season. Rashee Rice has shown higher-level production when available but carries significant durability and off-field questions that complicate his long-term outlook. Kingsley Suamataia flashed improvement as a guard and could take another step in year two. Kenneth Walker was brought in to provide a dynamic presence in the backfield and could become a core piece if he delivers consistent production. The 2026 draft class, headlined by high selections like Monsour Delane and Peter Woods, offers exciting upside but remains unproven at the NFL level.

What ultimately elevated Simmons above the others is the combination of proven traits on tape, the critical importance of the left tackle position, and the relatively clear developmental path in front of him. The Chiefs do not need another single superstar to replace Kelce or Jones. They need a new core of high-level contributors who can grow together around Mahomes. Simmons has the best chance among current young players to reach that level of sustained excellence and become the kind of player fans remember as a true franchise great.

The transition the Chiefs are navigating is not unique in NFL history, but it is rare for a team that has enjoyed this level of sustained success. Replacing multiple all-time talents requires more than one high draft pick or one shrewd free-agent signing. It requires several players to hit their developmental curves at the right time. Simmons represents the highest-upside bet currently on the roster to be one of those foundational pieces. His athletic gifts were evident in college and have already translated to meaningful NFL snaps. His work ethic and body transformation this offseason suggest a player who understands what is required to maximize his potential.

Chiefs Kingdom has grown accustomed to watching transcendent talent redefine what is possible. The next chapter will be written by a new generation of players who must rise to meet the standard Mahomes continues to set. Among that group, Josh Simmons stands out not because he has already arrived, but because the film and the traits point to a player with the rare combination of athleticism, position value, and developmental runway to become the next great Chief. The 2026 season will provide the next important data point in that journey. If Simmons continues to build on the flashes he showed as a rookie, the conversation about who carries the franchise forward will have its clearest answer yet.