The Kansas City Chiefs open their regular season against division rivals, the Denver Broncos, in a Week 1 "Monday Night Football" showdown. It features a battle between last season's AFC West division winner and a Chiefs team looking to regain their form after struggling to a 6-11 record last season and failing to reach the NFL Playoffs. Ahead of this season, the spotlight was on three-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his recovery from the brutal injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely.
Many speculated whether he'd be ready to play by the Chiefs' season-opening game. Mahomes will be suited up and playing in Kansas City's first game of the season, which is a great development for fans. However, his teammate, left tackle Josh Simmons, won't be on the field for this season-opening clash.
Read more: Eagles Super Bowl Champion Announces NFL Retirement After 16 Seasons Simmons, 23, was the Chiefs' first-round pick in 2025 after playing several seasons with Ohio State. He's been dealing with a back injury for several weeks, which will keep him out of action for "Monday Night Football." On Tuesday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid shared more details about specific players' availability, including Simmons, whom he said was unlikely to play after suffering a back injury in training camp last month. "Josh is rehabbing and working his tail off.
He's having an issue with his back. It's a matter of time here, but he continues to work hard with [head athletic trainer] Rick [Burkholder]," Reid said, per ESPN. "I'm not putting any time restraint on when he can come back or when he can practice.
I just want to make sure he's healthy and OK to go." The former Buckeyes player missed multiple games last season due to personal reasons involving his family, and later, due to a dislocation and fracture in his wrist he suffered on Thanksgiving Day against the Dallas Cowboys. Kahlil Benson will likely replace Simmons in the Chiefs' lineup. Benson is a 6-foot-6, 319-pound undrafted rookie who played for Indiana.
As of this report, DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Chiefs as favored to win by a field goal in their home opener. Kansas City will host the Denver Broncos for the huge "MNF" game on Monday, Sept. 14. More news: Lane Kiffin Goes Viral for Fiery Leaked Halftime Speech Amid LSU Blowout For more about the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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