The Chiefs quarterback commented on the division race and the speculation that KC and Buffalo would meet again after the Bills defeated the Chiefs on Sunday, Nov. 2. By Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Chiefs enter their Week 10 bye at 5-4 — rather different from recent midseason breaks, when they often sat atop the AFC standings. This year, they’re third in the AFC West and eighth in the conference, just outside the playoff picture.
With the break upon us, The Star’s Chiefs coverage team is using the downtime to hand out some bye-week awards. The voting panel includes myself, Blair Kerkhoff, Pete Grathoff and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell.
In today’s post, we’re naming our top rookie and most improved player.
Top rookie: Josh Simmons
Votes: Simmons (3), Nohl Williams (2)
In the days following the opening night of this year’s NFL Draft, analysts described the Chiefs’ No 32 selection of Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons as a grand heist. The prevailing thought was that Simmons would have likely been a top-15 selection had he not suffered a knee injury the previous October.
Kansas City took a gamble on his recovery, with many believing 2025 would be a redshirt year for Simmons as he rebuilt his strength. But by the end of organized team activities (OTAs), Simmons was already a full go.
In St. Joseph and in the preseason, Simmons took every snap at left tackle, then started the first five regular-season games. Like any rookie, Simmons took his lumps, but he allowed only one sack in more than 200 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Simmons’ rookie story changed when he left the team for four games due to what the Chiefs described as a personal matter and family situation, giving way to Jaylon Moore taking over at left tackle. The Star has confirmed that Simmons is back in the building, and the thought is he will return to practice when the team reconvenes next Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Third-round cornerback Nohl Williams has seen his role grow as the season’s progressed — he played more than 40 snaps against the Buffalo Bills. As the third corner, Williams has played well enough to keep veteran Kristian Fulton on the sideline.
Simmons edged out Williams for our “top rookie” nod by just one vote.
Most improved: Kingsley Suamataia
Votes: Suamataia (3), Bryan Cook (1), Travis Kelce (1)
As Simmons quickly showed his coaches and the team’s fans that he would be ready to go during training camp, attention quickly shifted to Kingsley Suamataia, who transitioned to left guard after a failed stint at left tackle in 2024.
Like Simmons, Suamataia has allowed just one sack this season — but he has done so over all nine games the Chiefs have played. Kansas City took a risk in the offseason by moving Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, doing so with the belief that Suamataia could handle the job.
He has, and so have his fellow linemen. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has felt protected and that has allowed him to return to an MVP level.
Others we considered for “most improved” award include safety Bryan Cook, who has 36 tackles and three passes defensed this season, and tight end Travis Kelce, who leads the Chiefs with 540 receiving yards and could be on his way to his first 1,000-yard season since 2022.
Check back throughout the week as The Star reveals the rest of its six bye-week awards.