NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
Sep 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks on during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with a surprising development involving Josh Simmons, as a disagreement between the second-year offensive tackle and legendary NFL head coach Andy Reid reportedly became heated enough for Patrick Mahomes to step in.
Patrick Mahomes told his teammate to leave a meeting after a heated exchange with HC Andy Reid 😬 See the details here: https://t.co/jwNyeFbTws https://t.co/FIGuuimISD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 25, 2026
Simmons has yet to play during the 2026 NFL season while dealing with a significant back issue. The **Chiefs placed him on injured reserve**Thursday because of a bulging, herniated disk in his lower back, meaning the earliest he can return is Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals.
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Josh Simmons and Andy Reid have heated exchange
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks on
Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks on during warmups at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The incident reportedly occurred Wednesday during an offensive meeting. Simmons was sitting with his feet up when Reid asked him to put them down.
Simmons pushed back, explaining that his back and hips were hurting and that he needed to sit that way because of the discomfort. Reid then told Simmons that if he was experiencing pain, he should leave the meeting and receive treatment from the team’s athletic trainers.
The back-and-forth continued and began disrupting the meeting. That’s when Mahomes reportedly intervened, echoing Reid’s instruction that Simmons should leave the room and get treatment.
Simmons ultimately left the meeting but remained inside the Chiefs’ facility.
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Chiefs already dealing with major Josh Simmons setback
NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia (76) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) at the line of scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The timing of the incident is notable because Simmons was already dealing with a difficult situation physically. He has not played this season and had been attempting to rehabilitate the back problem without surgery.
Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder said the team gave Simmons time to speak with his family and representatives about the next steps in his rehabilitation. Kansas City ultimately determined that his recovery had plateaued and placed him on injured reserve.
Simmons was selected with the final pick of the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft with the expectation that he could eventually become a long-term answer at left tackle for Mahomes. Instead, injuries and other absences have limited him to just eight games since entering the NFL.
The Chiefs will now have to move forward without Simmons for at least the next four games. With the offensive tackle already sidelined and the reported meeting incident now public, the organization will undoubtedly hope the situation remains an isolated episode rather than becoming another distraction during the season.