Andy Reid’s cautious approach with rookie LT Josh Simmons reveals exactly how the Chiefs are avoiding costly mistakes before the season heats up.QQ
Kansas City Chiefs isn’t getting ahead of himself with his plans for rookie LT Josh Simmons’ return to action.
Kansas City Chiefs rookie LT Josh Simmons was officially back on the practice field on Wednesday as the team began preparations for the Denver Broncos in Week 11. It marked Simmons’ first practice session since early October ahead of the ‘Monday Night Football’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as he makes his return to football after missing the past four weeks due to a personal family matter.
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A major topic of discussion leading into a crucial AFC West matchup: Will Simmons be ready to return to the starting role after missing the past four weeks? Chiefs HC Andy Reid was non-committal on Monday, and he remained cautious with his words on Wednesday.
“Yeah, we’ll just see,” Reid said on Wednesday. “Let’s see. I haven’t even got him out for a practice yet, so let’s see how he’ll jump in, and see what he can do, mix it up out there, and do what we do, and then we’ll go from there. So, I just want to see him, see him back out. I’m glad he’s back and getting going.”
As for what he would need to see from Simmons to hand him back the keys to the starting job over backup LT Jaylon Moore, Reid insists it’s just a matter of seeing that he’s conditioned and ready to play at a high level.
“Let’s just see what kind of shape he’s in,” Reid said. “But you get back into the football swing, you know? So let’s see. Let’s see how he is. I’m sure he’s gonna be OK, but we’ll see.”
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is confident in both Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore at left tackle
Asked whether it’s Josh Simmons or Jaylon Moore out there at left tackle in Week 11 against the Broncos, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes expressed that it’s full steam ahead. He has complete confidence in each of them to keep him protected. It’s ultimately just a matter of whether Simmons is ready.
“No, I mean, you’re kind of just your full steam ahead,” Mahomes said. “I think that’s what’s so great about football, is that you have to go out there and have the same mindset, the same mentality. And we’re super excited to have Josh (Simmons) back — just being back in the building — and we’ll get him out on the practice field and see where he’s at. But I think you saw with both those guys, they can both play at a very high level, and so I think coach (Andy Reid) will make that decision as the week goes on, but I have confidence in both of them that they’ll go out there and have success.”
Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons vs. Jaylon Moore stat comparison (via PFF):
- Jaylon Moore: Three sacks and 12 pressures on 294 offensive snaps.
- Josh Simmons: One sack and 12 pressures on 314 offensive snaps.
What’s abundantly clear about this situation is that the Chiefs don’t want to put Simmons in a bad position during his return. He’ll be going up some talented pass-rushers in Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto, and I expect them to be cautious, knowing that Simmons is going to be a key piece to the long-term success of this offense. At the same time, if he looks like his old self, with no issues with his conditioning or otherwise, he should be given the green light to start.
