Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chiefs' hope of Super Bowl return gets huge boost from rookie J
By JAKE FENNER,
After a horrendous performance from the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line in Super Bowl LIX, the team seems to have found a solution to their most glaring problem.
In February's game, the Eagles never sent a single blitz - but still managed to sack quarterback Patrick Mahomes six times and disrupted many chances he had to throw to Travis Kelce or any of this other targets.
It didn't help that All-Pro left guard was being forced into duty at left tackle due to injuries. Now, with Thuney in Chicago this season, Kansas City desperately needs someone to step up to protect Mahomes' blind side.
Fortunately for the Chiefs' offense, the team may have found a solution with first-round draft pick Josh Simmons out of Ohio State.
In his first preseason game, Simmons gave many Chiefs fans hope that they could get back to their title winning ways.
Per ESPN's Nick Taylor, Simmons took 11 snaps in a preseason defeat to the Arizona Cardinals - but looked the part of a pass protector.
Chiefs first-round pick Josh Simmons looked promising in his debut for Kansas City
KC was in desperate need of pass protection after Patrick Mahomes took six sacks in Super Bowl LIX during a blowout defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in February
Many Chiefs starters - including Travis Kelce - did not play in a 20-17 loss to the Cardinals
Simmons was successful at stopping a pass rush multiple times - shutting down outside linebacker Baron Browning on many snaps.
Even though the Chiefs lost, Mahomes was able to score on the opening drive - completing exactly one pass on one attempt for one yard and one touchdown in 48 seconds of total game time.
His backups - Bailey Zappe, Gardner Minshew, and Chris Oladokun - did not fare nearly as well.
They combined to complete 20-of-39 passes for 156 yards - while Zappe tossed two interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals had a horrendous start. After fumbling their first two kickoffs, full-time starting quarterback Kyler Murray tossed a pick on the offense's first drive. He finished the day with 7-of-8 completions for 96 yards.
The day was saved by Jacoby Brissett - who managed to complete five passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Many of the Chiefs' star players - including Kelce and receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown - did not register catches.
Kansas City next hits the road to play the Seattle Seahawks on August 15.
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