Kansas City Chiefs OL Josh Simmons comments on adjusting to the NFL: 'A very big jump'
Kansas City Chiefs OL Josh Simmons comments on adjusting to the NFL: 'A very big jump'
During his press conference on Tuesday, Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons opened up about his transition to practicing in the NFL, comparing it to his college experience.
"Yeah, it's not that big, I guess, of a jump, but it is a very big jump." said Simmons, "There's, like, some hands, some the moves are a lot more precise, and the guys know exactly where to strike you to get you off balance."
During his final college season, Simmons tore his patellar tendon last October during Ohio State's 32-31 loss at Oregon. He is steadily improving with every workout and is eager to put on pads, hopefully soon.
"I wanted to be able to throw the pads on like ASAP. But, things happen for a reason," said Simmons, "So whatever the staff allows me to do, I'm gonna definitely do really hard."
The former Ohio State offensive lineman is 6 feet 5 inches tall and 310 pounds. He earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors for the 2024 National Champions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
22 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Commanders RB Reveals Driving Force Behind His 2025 Goals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. enters the 2025 season with a sense of urgency. As he approaches the final year of his rookie deal, the 25-year-old is aiming to prove he's worthy of a long-term extension, whether from Washington or another team. Robinson has shown flashes of being a reliable lead back, but durability remains a question mark. Since entering the league in 2022, he has yet to complete a full season. His rookie campaign was notably interrupted by a traumatic event — Robinson was shot twice in an attempted robbery just weeks before the season opener. Remarkably, he missed only four games and returned to rush for 797 yards. Robinson continued to show growth over the next two seasons, logging over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns. Despite steady improvement, the Commanders appear to be exploring future options. During the 2025 NFL Draft, Washington selected running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. Croskey-Merritt has been touted as a late-round steal and has already turned heads within the organization. I said it during the predraft process & I said it again when he was taken in the 7th in that I fully expect Jacory Croskey-Merritt to earn touches when things count in Washington this fall. Good to hear his minicamp is off to a hot start — the kid can flat out play ball. — Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) June 11, 2025 Expert NFL analysis on the best NFL Anytime Touchdown predictions for Week 12, including Brian Robinson Jr's chances of getting into the end zone. Expert NFL analysis on the best NFL Anytime Touchdown predictions for Week 12, including Brian Robinson Jr's chances of getting into the end is also sharing a backfield with Austin Ekeler, who handled much of the receiving workload last season and is entering a contract year competition brewing and his contract expiring, Robinson understands that he's not only playing to maintain his starting role, but also to secure his future in the NFL. "The biggest thing for me is just being available," Robinson told reporters. "Just being on the field, I think, when I'm healthy and I'm well — the biggest thing for me is just being available, being out there on the field where I can continue to produce. Everything, as far as the craft, I'm going to continue to stay sharp and continue to work, put in the extra time, the extra hours in the building, outside the building, whatever I need to do to stay sharp." HELL WHEN I'M WELL: RB Brian Robinson, Jr. on final year of his rookie deal, and what he's been working on the last few months: "The biggest thing for me is just being available... when I'm healthy and I'm well... I'm hell when I'm well for sure"@JPFinlayNBCS #RaiseHail — NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) June 10, 2025 Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury knows how effective Robinson can be. If he stays healthy and produces in 2025, a long-term deal could be on the horizon. "He's been really focused," Kingsbury said. "The biggest thing that came out of last year I think was that any of the guys that we asked to go in and play, played at a really high level. "B-Rob's a guy who has played an incredibly high level. I thought early in the year when he was really healthy, he was what we expect him to be, and the focus this offseason has been great. He knows what this year means to him and can mean to us when he plays at that level." For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
38 minutes ago
- USA Today
A recent Nolan Smith evaluation confirms what fans already know about Eagles pass rusher
A recent Nolan Smith evaluation confirms what fans already know about Eagles pass rusher PFF named Eagles third-year pass rusher Nolan Smith the Eagles' make-or-break player for the 2025 NFL season Most probably won't remember this now. Then again, they might, but if you don't, fear not, it's an incredible story that's worth hearing and retelling. Once upon a time, it seemed impossible that the Philadelphia Eagles might land Jalen Carter or Nolan Smith during the 2023 NFL Draft. Wouldn't you know it? Somehow, they wound up with both of them. Even now, it's still hard to believe that it happened. Philadelphia made two first-round selections during that April's selection meeting. Jalen Carter fell to the Birds at nine. Nolan was still on the board when Howie Roseman and company found themselves on the clock at pick number 30. Truth be told, some mock drafts and theories stated Nolan was a top-15 talent. After all, he had displayed elite athleticism. Just two months earlier, he had run an impressive 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. It was for that reason that some Birds fans would have been satisfied had he been taken with Philadelphia's earlier first-round selection. He sat behind Haason Reddick as a rookie but took a huge step forward in his sophomore NFL season. Now comes the question. Can he take yet another leap? The pressure is a little thicker now, and that's what Philadelphia needs him to do. Pro Football Focus labels Nolan Smith's third NFL season as a 'make-or-break' campaign What a difference a couple of years makes. Nolan Smith has gone from a rookie waiting on his turn to the starting edge rusher on a depth chart harboring some uncertainty at the position. The Bryce Huff experiment didn't work. He's been traded. Brandon Graham retired. Josh Sweat left during the free-agency frenzy. All eyes are on Smith and for good reason. After all, he was a first-round draft choice, so he is expected to be under the microscope all season. The cameras have already zoomed in and are following him. Pro Football Focus named him on their list featuring every NFL team's make-or-break player for the 2025 season. Here's what Dalton Wasserman, the writer of this one, said about Philly's talented pass rusher: "Smith's make-or-break candidacy isn't an indictment of his NFL resumé as much as it is an indication of the Eagles' need for him to be a star. The team lost veteran edge defenders Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason, making Smith a sure-fire starter for the first time in his career." No lies were told there. Wasserman continued his theory. "He began to take on an expanded role late last season, recording a terrific 78.9 PFF overall grade across his final seven games. If that continues over the duration of the 2025 season, Philadelphia's defensive line will once again be an elite unit." If anyone is worried about some apprehension, don't be. Smith is as cool as they come. Few Eagles carry more swagger. He has the confidence of his coaches. Listening to Nick Sirianni rave about him instills confidence that another breakout is on the horizon. Everyone should hope that Coach is right. Smith really established himself last season, starting ten of 16 regular-season in-game appearances. He notched 42 tackles, including eight that resulted in a loss of yardage. He also racked up 6.5 sacks, 11 additional hits on the opposing quarterback, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He turned it on during the postseason, adding another forced fumble to Philadelphia's cause during the Eagles' four-game run to glory. He forced a fumble. His four sacks and four tackles for loss led every competitor playing during the postseason. Smith played through injury in the Super Bowl, never letting on to most that something was bothering him until the game was over. Wasserman is right. The hope of another leap forward isn't an indictment of what Smith has already done. It's just an attempt to state the obvious. The Eagles don't want him to play at an elite level. They need him to do so. Jalyx Hunt looks ready, but make no mistake. Nolan Smith is Philadelphia's leader on the edge moving forward.
USA Today
38 minutes ago
- USA Today
Broncos special teams coach dubs rookie one of the most talented prospects he's had
Broncos special teams coach dubs rookie one of the most talented prospects he's had Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi on punter Jeremy Crawshaw: 'He's as talented of a prospect as I've ever had.' — Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) June 11, 2025 Punter hype? Punter hype! After losing Riley Dixon to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos used a sixth-round draft pick to select Australian punter Jeremy Crawshaw in April. The international punter grew up playing rugby league and Australian rules football before training to kick in American football. After attending Nathan Chapman's ProKick Australia academy, Crawshaw played college football at Florida. The 24-year-old punter impressed Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi this spring. 'Probably Jeremy the person," Rizzi said on June 11 when asked what impressed him about Crawshaw. "His maturity. It's not easy to come from another country and play a sport he had never played before. Think about that. Here's a guy that came from Australia, went to an SEC school, a top-level college program, [and] had a ton of success. His maturity level, he's kind of beyond his years if you will. That was when we were kind of evaluating all the punters in this draft, his name came up. I really feel like his intangibles, his off-the-field stuff was A-plus. "Now, his talent level is tremendous as well. I really believe that at that position, at a specialist position, your demeanor might be just as important as your ability, because it's a one-play-and-done. You have to have the mentality of kind of a batter in baseball if you will, or a golfer. You have to go on to the next swing. I really like his level-headedness. I really like his maturity. I really like his approach. Getting to know him in the process was a big part of us drafting him, so that was pretty cool.' That's extremely high praise from Rizzi, a high-profile coordinator who has coached in the NFL since 2009 and has experience as an associate head coach and interim head coach. Special teams players are often overlooked by fans, but Crawshaw appears to have been a huge addition for the Broncos this offseason. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
