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Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons spoke for the first time after being away from the team for 22 days and missing four games.
Simmons, 22, joined the team two weeks ago after mysteriously leaving the team just hours before the Chiefs faced the Detroit Lions in Week 6. He refused to say why he left.
“I want to kind of keep this in-house, with all due respect,” Simmons said during his press conference Wednesday. “I know everyone wants to know, but it’s something I want to keep, you know, inside.”
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Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) takes to the field before the start of practice during training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, August 12, 2025. (Scott Winters/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
The Ohio State rookie left tackle opened his press conference by thanking the Chiefs for supporting him during his absence.
“(It) showed how much this team and this city loves me and I can’t wait to pay it back,” Simmons said.
Simmons’ first game back came in the Chiefs’ 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and he was welcomed back into action by lining up against one of the NFL’s best passers, Nik Bonitto. The 2025 first-round pick said there was some rust after the firing.
“A little bit, I mean (Bonitto) is an extremely gifted player, so going against him was a good comeback, but I think with the teammates that I had throughout this week, they helped me pick myself up and eliminate those things,” Simmons said.
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Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey (52) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) celebrate a touchdown running back Kareem Hunt (29) in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 16, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
Bonnito is third in the NFL with 9.5 sacks this season, but recorded none against the Chiefs.
Simmons said he was able to keep up with his training outside of the team because he had access to the playbook and a gym.
“I was making sure I was training, just keeping my feet alive and making sure my nervous system was awake,” Simmons said. “I was ready to play.”
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Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia (76) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) at the line of scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 29, 2025. (Denny Medley/Imagn Images)
Simmons said his teammates were watching him and communication with the team was transparent during his absence.
“Being away from the game, I couldn’t wait to come back and fight for (my teammates).”
The Chiefs fell to 5-5 with their loss to the Broncos and currently sit in no playoff position. The team’s next game is against the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts (8-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
