The Denver Broncos won the AFC West for the first time since 2015, ending the Kansas City Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes’s nine-year run of dominance over the division.
Former Broncos safety Justin Simmons was a thorn in Kansas City’s side over the years, intercepting Mahomes six times in his career. Still, Denver struggled against Kansas City duringSimmons’ time with the franchise.
“It’s crazy because my record against him — not that it’s like a basketball matchup — but my record against him is like 1-16. Everyone’s like, (Mahomes’) kryptonite. I’m like, ‘Well, it can’t be that much,’” Simmons said in an appearance on the _DNVR Sports_ podcast.
Simmons has retired, but still feels animosity toward Kansas City, even if he begrudgingly has respect for the organization.
“I do not like them, I don’t like any part of most of their team,” he said. “I got a lot of respect for a lot of the great players, but when we were losing to them, they made sure we knew that we were losing to them. And I didn’t like that, so I have full hatred for them. Wasn’t going to go to the team (as a free agent). “I think the Hunt family is, like, top class. At least outside looking in, I think they are.
> Justin Simmons has 6 career INTs off Pat Mahomes; the next closest has 2.
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> “He’s just like, Bro I can’t wait til I don’t have to see you anymore…
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> My record against him is like 1-16… Everybody is like ‘kryptonite,’ and i’m like it can’t be that much” 😂 [pic.twitter.com/PZ6LKdRhbX](https://t.co/PZ6LKdRhbX)
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> — DNVR Broncos (@DNVR\_Broncos) [May 4, 2026](https://twitter.com/DNVR_Broncos/status/2051351740541456842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for Andy Reid and a lot of, like I said, a lot of respect for different people But the Kansas City Chiefs, not the fans, not necessarily the ownership or anything, just the fact that we’re the Broncos and they’re the Chiefs. I don’t like y’all, and y’all don’t have to like me. That’s fine.”
When the Chiefs were dominated by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, Simmons even poured a glass of wine in celebration.
“That’s why when the Eagles won the Super Bowl,” Simmons said, “I had like a glass of wine or two, and I was, I was on Twitter letting them know, ‘Yeah, go Eagles. Fly Eagles Fly.’ It was awesome.”
It’s good to know that some rivalries last for life.