Why Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid reportedly told Josh Simmons to leave a Chiefs meeting after heated exchange

Josh Simmons’ difficult start to life with the Kansas City Chiefs has taken another turn after a reported confrontation with head coach Andy Reid during a team meeting. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also told the offensive tackle to leave the room, according to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, cited by Bleacher Report. The incident reportedly happened Wednesday, when Reid challenged Simmons over his posture during the meeting. Simmons explained that he was dealing with back and hip pain. He later apologised to Reid and his teammates, but the episode has added another layer to his frustrating season.Josh Simmons’ exchange with Andy Reid led to his exitAccording to the report, Simmons was sitting with his feet raised in the offensive meeting room when Reid asked him to put them down. Simmons responded that his back and hips were aching, which made sitting that way more comfortable.Reid then told the young tackle to seek treatment from the team’s athletic trainers if he was experiencing pain. The exchange escalated to the point that Mahomes also told Simmons he should leave the meeting, according to the report. Simmons exited the room and later apologised to both Reid and his teammates.The reported disagreement was not simply about a player’s seating position. It put Simmons in a difficult spot as he tries to establish himself in Kansas City while dealing with an injury that has kept him off the field. Reid’s response also reflected the expectations inside a team meeting, where players are expected to follow the coach’s instructions even when they have concerns of their own.There is no reported indication that the incident alone led to Simmons’ subsequent roster move. The available account describes the exchange and his apology, but does not establish any further disciplinary action.Simmons’ injury setback leaves the Chiefs with another problemKansas City placed Simmons on injured reserve on Thursday, according to Bleacher Report. The 2025 first-round pick had already seen his rookie season cut short by a fractured wrist. A bulging disk in his back has prevented him from playing in 2026, leaving the team waiting for him to make meaningful progress in his recovery.Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder offered a more detailed picture of that process this week. He said Simmons had been working hard and had improved enough to return to limited practice last week, but his rehabilitation had since stalled.“He worked diligently with my staff every day and has improved to point where he could return to practice in a limited capacity last week,” Burkholder said. “However, we feel like he's plateaued in the rehab process as he's trying to get to the final steps of recovery with the return to competition. He's just not there yet.”That is the more pressing issue for Kansas City. Simmons was drafted in the first round to address a key need on the offensive line, but the Chiefs have instead turned to undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle. Simmons’ injured reserve placement means he will miss at least four more weeks, according to the report.For Simmons, the immediate challenge is to get healthy and return to the field. The reported meeting incident has drawn attention, but his recovery remains the central concern for a Chiefs team that still needs the young tackle to deliver on his potential.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.