Patrick Mahomes’ blindside is already looking like a straight up liability without Josh Simmons, and that’s the biggest takeaway from the Chiefs’ preseason game against Tampa Bay on Saturday night. While you can’t read too much into August football, this issue screamed louder than a full stadium crowd about what could happen in the regular season. For a team with Mahomes as its most essential player, the play from the rest of the tackle crew was a genuine shocker.
Simmons’ Absence Spells Instant Trouble for the Chiefs’ O-Line
Let’s be real, Mahomes is the Chiefs’ top guy, but the source says left tackle Josh Simmons is easily the second most essential player on that whole squad. And after Saturday night, you can see why. Simmons was out with a back injury, and the guys stepping up to fill his shoes? Yikes. Veteran Jaylon Moore started at left tackle, with Khalil Benson on the right. Both looked pretty rough, but it got even worse. Moore got benched in the second quarter, and Esa Pole took over at left tackle.
All three of these guys looked poor, flat out. Moore was consistently giving up the corner, struggling to get out of his stance, which is a problem he had last year too. Benson, who’s been getting first-team reps in camp, showed some good signs in run blocking; he’s solid on the backside of zone runs and can open a cutback lane, even pulling in space. But in pass protection? Not ready for prime time. He couldn’t meet pass rushers at the top of the arc and opened his hips too wide, letting Buccaneers defensive end Reuben Bain hit him with a nasty hump move that almost turned into a sack. This is the preseason, man, and that kind of play sets off alarm bells for the regular season.
Buccaneers’ Walker Feasted on Chiefs’ Tackle Depth
And when Esa Pole came in for Moore? Things went from bad to worse. Pole got a ton of one on one reps against Buccaneers reserve pass rusher David Walker, and let me tell you, Walker absolutely feasted on that matchup. This dude was easily the best player on the field, just dominating Pole. Walker won every single way you can imagine, constantly getting Pole off balance and just blowing by him around the corner before Pole could even get a wash out.
Walker even used an inside spin move that nearly brought down the quarterback for a sack. Pole had some chip help from rookie running back Emmett Johnson, which means all he had to do was protect his inside shoulder, and he couldn’t even manage that. The Chiefs’ pass rush bag against Walker was empty. They truly could not stop him.
This is concerning stuff. With the regular season right around the corner, the Chiefs need to figure out their tackle depth, and fast. If Simmons isn’t back or these guys don’t step it up, opponents are gonna salivate at these weaknesses.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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