Chiefs' Clark Hunt expresses optimism on Josh Simmons' eventual return
Hunt addressed the media in the press box hours before Monday Night Football
The Chiefs haven’t said much publicly about rookie left tackle Josh Simmons’ status in recent weeks.
Coach Andy Reid mentioned last week that Simmons is dealing with a personal family matter but declined to either give more information or provide a timeline on Simmons’ return.
Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt had his turn Monday evening, just hours before the Chiefs take on the Washington Commanders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It’s not something that I can go into, but it is a private family matter and we’ve had good communication with him,” Hunt said. “There’s an understanding by both parties as to where he is, and we’re hopeful to have him back with the team sometime in the future.”
Hunt, who addressed the media in the press box as part of his annual midseason football address, didn’t specify exactly how far in the future that Simmons would be back.
But he expressed optimism that the Chiefs would have their first-round pick in the fold at some point.
“I do feel pretty good,” Hunt said.
Simmons hasn’t played since Oct. 12, which was Week 6’s game against the Detroit Lions.
He missed Week 7’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders and won’t play Monday night’s game against the Commanders.
The Chiefs, though, have been fortunate to have Jaylon Moore fill in at left tackle.
Moore, who joined the Chiefs on a two-year deal during free agency, has started the previous two games in Simmons’ place. Moore will start a third straight game against the Commanders and would continue in the role for as long as Simmons is absent.
The Chiefs selected Simmons in the 2025 NFL Draft, just six months after he tore a patellar tendon in his knee.
He attacked his recovery process throughout the offseason, though, and won the starting job at left tackle early in training camp.
Simmons started the first five games of the regular season before he left the team in Week 6.
The Chiefs play the Commanders on Monday night, followed by the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 ahead of the Week 10 bye.
