Kansas City — After four weeks of speculation, Kansas City Chiefs rookie linebacker Josh Simmons has finally broken his silence, addressing the swirling rumors surrounding his sudden absence from the team.

The 23-year-old returned to practice on Thursday, calm, composed, and visibly determined. As cameras flashed and microphones surrounded him, Simmons made it clear that he was ready to move forward — but on his own terms.

“I’ve seen what people said online — that I was dealing with drugs, that my health was bad, that something was wrong with my family,” Simmons said evenly. “None of that is true. This was a personal situation — something private that I needed to handle as a man. And I’d appreciate if people respected that.”

It was a rare moment of vulnerability in a sport that often punishes openness. And it came with a powerful reminder: not every absence is a scandal — sometimes it’s simply human.

💬 “THE WORLD MADE UP STORIES — BUT THE TEAM STOOD BY ME.”

When Simmons unexpectedly stepped away from the Chiefs four weeks ago, social media erupted with speculation. Without an official statement from the team, fans and pundits began guessing — addiction, family issues, even mental breakdowns.

But inside the Chiefs’ locker room, there was no guessing — only quiet understanding.

“The world made up stories,” Simmons said. “But the team — they stood by me. Every day, I got messages from my brothers here saying, ‘We got you.’ That meant everything.”

Sources within the organization confirmed that Simmons had been granted personal leave, supported fully by the Chiefs front office and coaching staff.

Head Coach Andy Reid addressed the situation after practice:

“We gave Josh the time he needed. That’s what families do. Football is important — but taking care of yourself is more important.”

❤️ “PATRICK MAHOMES SHOWED ME WHAT LEADERSHIP REALLY IS.”

While Simmons declined to go into detail about the reason for his absence, he made one thing crystal clear — Patrick Mahomes played a pivotal role in his return.

“Patrick checked on me almost every day,” Simmons said, his voice softening. “Not as my quarterback, but as my friend. He didn’t ask questions. He just said, ‘Whatever you need, we got you.’ That kind of support — it reminded me what real leadership looks like.”

According to teammates, Mahomes not only reached out privately but also made sure the locker room stayed positive, shutting down gossip and keeping the focus on brotherhood.

“Pat told everyone, ‘Don’t speculate, don’t talk — just pray for him and wait,’” said defensive end George Karlaftis. “He set the tone for how a team should treat its own.”

Mahomes himself addressed the media later that day.

“It’s easy to cheer for your teammates when things are going great,” Mahomes said. “But true family shows up when someone’s going through something. Josh is one of us — and we’re proud to have him back.”

🕊️ “PEOPLE FORGET WE’RE HUMAN TOO.”

As Simmons spoke, his words carried the weight of a young athlete learning to balance fame, expectation, and identity.

“I get it — people love football, they love stories,” he said. “But sometimes I wish they’d remember that under this helmet, we’re just people. We get tired. We deal with things. We try to figure out life like everyone else.”

He admitted that stepping away was one of the hardest decisions he’s ever made, especially as a rookie fighting to secure his place on one of the NFL’s most competitive rosters.

“I knew stepping away might make people doubt me,” he said. “But I had to handle something personal — something I couldn’t ignore. Sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t look good from the outside.”

🔥 “COMING BACK STRONGER.”

When Simmons walked back into the Chiefs’ facility this week, he was met not with judgment but with cheers. Teammates clapped him on the back, coaches smiled, and Mahomes greeted him with a simple, “Welcome home.”

“That moment,” Simmons said, “I’ll never forget it. I realized how lucky I am to be part of a team that doesn’t just care about what I do — they care about who I am.”

During Thursday’s practice, Simmons took reps with the second-team defense, showing flashes of the explosiveness that earned him a spot on Kansas City’s roster. Reporters noted that he looked focused and confident — a player who’d been through something and come out stronger.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo praised his resilience:

“He didn’t lose a step. What he did took courage. A lot of guys wouldn’t have handled it with that much integrity.”

💭 “THE RUMORS HURT — BUT I FORGIVE.”

When asked how he felt about the online speculation surrounding his absence, Simmons paused before answering.

“It hurt,” he admitted. “Seeing lies about your name, reading stuff that isn’t true — it gets to you. But I’ve learned to forgive. People talk when they don’t understand. I can’t control that. What I can control is how I carry myself moving forward.”

He added that he plans to use the experience as motivation — not just to play better, but to raise awareness about mental and emotional health among athletes.

“We talk about physical injuries all the time,” he said. “But the things you can’t see — those are real, too. I want other players to know it’s okay to take time when you need it.”

🧠 “STRONGER IN BODY, STRONGER IN MIND.”

Inside the Chiefs facility, there’s a growing focus on mental wellness — something players like Mahomes, Kelce, and now Simmons have openly championed. The team recently expanded its in-house counseling resources and launched a wellness program that includes mindfulness training and emotional support staff.

“The game’s changing,” said Mahomes. “We’re learning that strength isn’t just about lifting weights — it’s about lifting each other.”

Simmons echoed that message, calling his time away “the hardest but most important four weeks of my life.”

“I had to reset,” he said. “And now that I’m back, I feel lighter — not just in my body, but in my heart.”

🏆 “WHAT MATTERS MOST.”

Simmons’ return comes at a crucial time for the Chiefs, who are preparing for a playoff push. But for the rookie, the victory has already happened.

“What matters most isn’t stats or headlines,” he said. “It’s knowing who’s in your corner when life hits hard.”

He smiled slightly before walking away from the podium, stopping to hug Mahomes and share a quiet laugh. The message was clear — he was home again.

As the cameras clicked and reporters packed up, a few teammates lingered on the field with him — throwing passes, joking, getting back to normal.

And maybe that’s the point.

After all the rumors, the noise, and the assumptions, Josh Simmons didn’t come back for attention. He came back for peace — and for the love of the game that never stopped waiting for him.

“I’m grateful,” Simmons said simply. “For my team, for my family, and for everyone who believed in me when I went quiet. I’m back — and I’m ready to work.”