Ex-Chiefs star blasts Andy Reid for ‘weird’ handling of key Patrick Mahomes’ protector

Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season has arrived.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been waiting for this moment as they bid to put a woeful 2025 campaign behind them, in which they won just five games, and seek to propel themselves into Super Bowl contention once again.

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They were handed a major boost to begin their pursuit of glory with the announcement that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is fit to start under center in the Week 1 matchup against AFC West rivals Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

The two-time NFL MVP suffered a torn ACL and LCL injury in the Chiefs’ Week 15 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, and there was initially some uncertainty over whether he would be fit to go in time for the start of the new campaign.

But after having somehow fast-tracked his recovery in nine months, he is ready to take to the field once again.

Whether he will have the necessary protection in front of him, though, remains unclear, with Josh Simmons’ availability for the contest against the Broncos in doubt.

The 23-year-old left tackle picked up a back injury during the offseason, and his status for Sunday has not yet been confirmed by head coach Andy Reid.

“I know the Chiefs don’t care what we think of the Josh Simmons situation but they’re also doing absolutely nothing to make any of the speculation, rumors, etc. die down,” ex-Chiefs tackle Mitchell Schwartz wrote on X.

“The entire thing has been weird from the get go given their initial words, timeline, and expectation.”

Simmons’ back injury was serious enough to sideline him for much of training camp, and prevent him from suiting up for the Chiefs during the preseason.

When pressed on the severity of the injury to the former first round pick, Reid remained coy and nonchalant.

“He had the back checked and there’s a spot in there that flared up and now you’ve gotta sit here and wait until that things calms down,” Reid told reporters.

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“He’s been here working out and doing the rehab stuff, so we’ll see where it goes.”

O-Line reshuffle may leave Mahomes vulnerable

Reid would further confusion when he adjusted his stance on Simmons two days later, revealing to reporters that it would be unlikely that Simmons would be out on the field for the season opener.

“There’s a good chance Josh doesn’t play this week; that’s where we’re at,” Reid said. “So we have that in our mind. He has an issue there that he is working through.

“I’m not putting any time restraint on when he comes back or when he can practice and how many practices he needs. I just want to make sure he’s healthy and okay to go.

“If [Simmons is] not able to go, then we’ll be in with Kahlil [Benson] at that spot, and we’ll roll from there.”

Benson made the 53-man roster after signing with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, and is now listed as the starting right tackle on the – unofficial – depth chart, ahead of Jaylon Moore and Diego Pounds.

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Should he need to make the switch to left tackle, then it would be expected that Moore would assume the vacant right-sided spot.

However, starting guard Trey Smith’s – who just restructured his contract with the team – availability is also in question as he continues to work through a hip injury, which could potentially leave Mahomes vulnerable in his return to action.

Only time will tell on what the offensive line will look like against the Broncos.

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