Andy Reid Says Josh Simmons Bulked Up Right to Guard Mahomes' Blind Side

Why Simmons Spent His Offseason in the Weight Room

Josh Simmons had a rough introduction to the NFL. A 2024 knee injury interrupted his development, and last offseason was mostly about rehab, not strength gains. This year was different. Instead of chasing bulk for bulk's sake, Simmons targeted what Andy Reid calls "the right kind of weight" — added mass that translates directly to power at the point of contact.

Reid's now-famous line, that Simmons has "more lead in his pants," is coach-speak for a very specific goal: a tackle who can anchor against speed rushers and still move well enough to handle Kansas City's zone-heavy scheme. For a team that lives and dies by how much time Patrick Mahomes gets in the pocket, that distinction matters a lot.

The Blind Side Job Nobody Wants to Get Wrong

Protecting Mahomes' blind side isn't just a roster spot — it's one of the most scrutinized jobs in the NFL. The Chiefs have churned through left tackle solutions in recent years, and any hint of instability there sends ripples through the entire offense. Simmons, still early in his career, is being counted on to stabilize that position after his rookie season was cut short by injury.

Reid's comments suggest the Chiefs coaching staff sees real, measurable progress — not just offseason hype. Adding functional weight (as opposed to simply eating more) typically means added strength training tailored to specific movements: anchoring against bull rushes, sustaining blocks longer, and holding ground against bigger edge defenders. That's the kind of improvement that shows up in August practices before it ever shows up on a stat sheet.

What This Means Heading Into the Season

For Chiefs fans, this is one of the more encouraging training camp storylines. Kansas City's offensive line has been a swing factor in their recent playoff runs, and a healthy, stronger Simmons at left tackle would ease a lot of pressure on both Mahomes and the coaching staff's game-planning.

It's still preseason talk, and weight gained in June doesn't guarantee performance in November. But Reid isn't one to hand out empty praise, especially about protection for his franchise quarterback. If Simmons' camp performance backs up the physical transformation, the Chiefs could be looking at a much more settled offensive line than they've had in years past.

The Bottom Line

Josh Simmons' offseason wasn't about looking bigger — it was about becoming more useful in the trenches. Andy Reid's endorsement is a small but telling signal that the plan worked, and that Kansas City's blind side protection might finally be trending in the right direction.