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Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons spoke for the first time after stepping away from the team for 22 days and missing four games.
Simmons, 22, rejoined the team two weeks ago after he mysteriously left the team just hours before the Chiefs played the Detroit Lions in Week 6. He declined to say why he left.
“I want to keep that at home, with all due respect,” Simmons said in his news 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) walks onto the field before the start of practice during training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Aug. 12, 2025. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Ohio State’s rookie left tackle opened his press conference by thanking the Chiefs for supporting him during his absence.
“(That) showed how much love this team and the city have for me and I can’t wait to give 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 lining up against one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, Nik Bonitto. The 2025 first-round pick said there was a little rust after the release.
“Kinda, I mean (Bonitto) is an extremely talented player, so going against that was a fair welcome, but I think with the teammates that I had during that week, they helped me pick myself up and forget about those things,” Simmons said.
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Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey (52) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) celebrate a touchdown run by running back Kareem Hunt (29) in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Nov. 16, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Image Images)
Bonnito is third in the NFL with 9.5 sacks this season but did not record any against the Chiefs.
Simmons said he was able to continue his training outside of the team because he had access to the playbook and a gym.
“I was making sure I was exercising, 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/Image Images)
Simmons said his teammates checked on him and that communication with the team was transparent during his time away.
“Being away from the game, I wanted to come back and fight for (my teammates).”
The Chiefs fell to 5-5 with their loss to the Broncos and are currently out of a playoff position. The team’s next game is against the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts (8-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
