KANSAS CITY, MO — Kansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons returned to the podium on Wednesday afternoon for the first time since his four-game absence, and what followed was one of the most heartfelt and human press conferences the team has seen all season.

The 22-year-old rookie, who stepped away from football to handle a private family matter, opened his remarks not with football talk, game plans, or injury updates — but with gratitude. Deep, emotional gratitude. And a promise.

“I want to thank the entirety of Kansas City, and this club, for having my six during the time I was away from the team,” Simmons said. “It showed how much love this team and city has for me, and I can’t wait to give it back to them.”

Those words resonated throughout the media room — and soon after, they resonated across Chiefs Kingdom.

Simmons’ absence had been felt on the field, but his return has reminded everyone that football is more than a sport. It’s community. It’s brotherhood. And Simmons has felt that brotherhood more deeply than ever in recent weeks.

A Rookie Tested — And Strengthened — By Life Beyond Football

Simmons’ departure from the team came suddenly, sparking understandable concern from fans and coaches. While the team respected his privacy, Andy Reid emphasized throughout the month that Simmons was dealing with “something important,” something that required his full focus.

And when Simmons returned on Wednesday — composed, confident, and reflective — the picture became clearer.

His leave wasn’t about escape.

It wasn’t about burnout.

It wasn’t about distancing himself.

It was about family, and the responsibility that comes with it.

“Wherever I was, I was watching the game, tuning in, keeping up with what we had next. I knew I was coming back — and I knew I needed to stay ready.”

Simmons described those days away not as a distraction, but as a balancing act — supporting his family while refusing to let his teammates down. That commitment, he explained, drove his daily routine during the leave: workouts, field drills, film study, and rehabilitation.

“I had access to gyms and stuff like that,” he said. “I was making sure I was working out once, and hitting some fieldwork, keeping my feet alive, making sure my nervous system was woken up.”

This wasn’t a player drifting away from his craft.

It was a young man carrying two worlds at once — and refusing to drop either.

A Silver Lining in a Tough Loss

When Simmons finally stepped onto the field in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs suffered a difficult loss. But amid the disappointment, one bright spot stood out: Josh Simmons played well. Very well.

In fact, he was one of the highest-graded linemen on the field, showcasing footwork, poise, and a clear growth from earlier in the season.

Head coach Andy Reid later admitted he wasn’t entirely sure if Simmons would be ready to start so quickly after his return. But Simmons’ discipline during his absence gave the Chiefs no hesitation.

And he delivered.

Reid called his performance “steady, impressive, and important.”

Simmons’ teammates called it “inspiring.”

Mahomes: “The Sky’s the Limit for This Kid.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who spoke shortly after Simmons, couldn’t say enough about the rookie tackle’s maturity, work ethic, and resilience.

“He’s a great football player, and he’s gotten better every week that he’s played,” Mahomes said.

“Since OTAs, since he stepped out there — even when he was rehabbing — he’s gotten better and better. I think the sky’s the limit.”

Mahomes emphasized one thing repeatedly:

Simmons’ ability to grow — no matter the circumstances.

From offseason preparation, to training camp, to his early starts, to his time away from the team, Simmons has displayed an upward trajectory that Mahomes believes is only the beginning.

“He’ll continue to get better. He just has to keep pushing.”

That endorsement carries weight. Mahomes does not hand out praise lightly, especially for linemen responsible for protecting him. His confidence in Simmons speaks volumes about the rookie’s importance to the team’s long-term future.

A Rookie Whose Mind Never Left the Field

One of the most revealing parts of Simmons’ press conference was his explanation of how he stayed engaged during his leave:

• Watching every Chiefs game live

• Reviewing cut-ups of opposing defenses

• Following weekly scouting reports

• Studying matchups for future opponents

• Maintaining daily conditioning

• Performing footwork and pad-level drills

• Staying mentally locked into the scheme

He wasn’t gone.

He wasn’t distant.

He wasn’t checked out.

He was preparing to come back stronger.

And he did.

Kansas City’s Newest “Ironman-Mentality” Offensive Lineman

For a rookie, Simmons has displayed the mindset of a veteran — toughness, humility, and accountability.

Many players struggle to stay focused when life gets heavy. But Simmons took the opposite path. He leaned into responsibility.

His focus during his time away impressed not only his coaches, but the entire locker room.

One teammate privately said:

“He didn’t let anything pull him away from us. Even when he wasn’t here, he was with us.”

That kind of commitment is rare in a young player.

In Kansas City, it’s cherished.

A Personal Promise to Chiefs Kingdom

Perhaps the most impactful part of Simmons’ return was the promise he made — the one that came directly from his heart.

“It showed how much love this team and city has for me, and I can’t wait to give it back to them.”

Chiefs fans — fiercely loyal, deeply connected to their players, and endlessly supportive — responded instantly. Thousands shared messages:

• “We’ve got you, Josh.”

• “Family comes first.”

• “KC stands with you always.”

• “You’re one of us.”

For a rookie, the embrace has been overwhelming in the best way possible.

And Simmons wants to repay that love on the field.

The Road Ahead — A Stronger Player, A Stronger Man

The Chiefs believe Simmons’ return could be a turning point for their offensive line. His length, athleticism, and discipline make him a foundational piece for the future.

But beyond the X’s and O’s, the Chiefs know something else:

Josh Simmons has grown.

Not just as a lineman.

But as a leader.

As a teammate.

As a man.

What he has overcome — and how he handled it — speaks volumes about his character.

This is no longer just a rookie trying to survive the NFL.

This is a player ready to thrive in it.

The Final Word

Josh Simmons’ message was simple but powerful:

Thank you.

I’m grateful.

I’m ready.

And I’ll give everything back.

It was the kind of press conference that reminds everyone — fans, media, teammates — that behind every helmet is a human being with responsibilities, struggles, and real-life battles.

Simmons didn’t just return to the Chiefs.

He returned stronger.

He returned focused.

He returned motivated.

And in Kansas City, a city that rallies behind its own, that matters more than anything.