Latest news with #TrentWilliams
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs' Josh Simmons draws NFL comparison to future Hall of Famer
The Kansas City Chiefs landed offensive tackle Josh Simmons with the 32nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, grabbing a borderline top-15 talent because of a leg injury. As the rookie works towards becoming the team's left tackle in Week 1, he's earned an NFL comparison to a future Hall of Famer. On a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, the former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce said that Simmons reminded him a lot of future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Trent Williams. 'I've watched a lot of these linemen coming out the last few years. This kid, I mean, he is the closest thing I've seen to like a Trent Williams — like that next level strength and athleticism. The only reason he fell to you guys is because of that injury.' Jason Kelce on Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons Related: Williams, who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers, is an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and has earned four All-Pro selections in his career. The 6-foot-5 lineman is widely recognized as one of the best left tackles of his era and has a strong shot of eventually being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As Kelce noted, this comparison between the two doesn't come lightly, and it's not his first time evaluating offensive linemen entering the NFL. When he looks at Simmons' physical abilities, though, he views him as the closest player to resemble Williams. Related: Some viewed Simmons as a likely top-15 pick before he suffered a torn patellar tendon in October. While there was originally uncertainty regarding when he'd be able to see the field, the 22-year-old is already practicing with the team ahead of training camp in July. If Williams wins the left tackle spot, it would potentially allow Kansas City to shift free-agent signing Jaylon Moore to right tackle to replace Jawaan Taylor. Not only would that give the Chiefs a better offensive line next season, but they would also have more tackle depth than they've had in previous years. Also Read: Related Headlines NBA rumors: Sacramento Kings viewed as favorites to land veteran PG in NBA free agency New York Yankees rumors: Club eyeing versatile infielder as trade target this summer NFL insider reveals issue that is preventing a Micah Parsons contract extension with Dallas Cowboys MLB reporter addresses Wander Franco's unlikely future in baseball
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFC West LT rankings: Trent Williams remains class of division
The 49ers' Trent Williams remains No. 1. Where does Paris Johnson land this year? We are in the final stretch of the NFL offseason as the Arizona Cardinals open training camp on July 22. Leading up to then, as we have for several offseasons, go through the players and position groups in the NFC West and rank them. Next up, we look at the left tackles for the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks and rank them. NFL left tackle rankings: NFC West 1. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers Williams, despite missing seven games last season and now turning 37 years old this month, he is still considered one of the top tackles in the NFL. Coaches, scouts and executives voted him the No. 4 tackle in the league. He is likely going to be the No. 1 tackle in the division until he retires. 2. Paris Johnson, Arizona Cardinals Johnson had a solid rookie season in 2023 as the Cardinals' right tackle and moved over to the left side in 2024. He was good, although his play declined slightly in the second half of the season and he missed the final three games with a knee injury. He is healthy and appears ready to be a Pro Bowl-level tackle. He even got top-10 votes from coaches, scouts and execs. 3. Charles Cross, Seattle Seahawks Cross is the best part of the questionable Seahawks offensive line, and is is solid. he has been Seattle's starting left tackle since he was drafted ninth overall in 2022. The next step for Cross, like Johnson, is to get recognized as one of the better tackles. He is just a bit behind Johnson. 4. Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams Jackson is no slouch but he is clearly the caboose of the division. He is likely to miss at least the start of the season, as he has blood clots in his leg for the second time. In the meantime, former Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries will likely play in his spot, and he would fall to No. 4 in these rankings, too. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Urged To Sign Purdy Protector Amid Impending Retirement
49ers Urged To Sign Purdy Protector Amid Impending Retirement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Francisco 49ers have a decent offensive line. In their offseason rankings, Pro Football Network has them placed as the 15th best unit in the NFL with a respectable 80.2 grade. Advertisement Most of that production is credited to All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who is among the most respected and feared linemen in football when he's on the field. Last season, however, he dealt with injury and the rest of the unit saw a concerning drop in production during his absence. Williams, who is about to turn 37, is in the twilight of his career, and while he hasn't slowed down much, retirement is imminent in the next few years. That is why ESPN believes the 49ers should get ahead of business with the rest of the offensive line and re-sign right tackle Colton McKivitz. "McKivitz's contract ends after the 2025 season, and the 49ers don't want to be stuck having to replace both tackles at the same time," reporter Aaron Schatz wrote. Advertisement This shouldn't be a major contract, but maybe a two-year cushion should suffice and protect the 49ers from the event of a surprise Williams retirement. McKivitz has starting experience in San Fran and has shown considerable improvement each season, but he's still got a long way to go in ultimately filling Williams' shoes. The 2020 fifth rounder had a down season in 2024, ranking 52nd out of 66 qualifying tackles with an 85.9 percent pass block win rate. As a group, the Niners O-line struggled more in protecting the pass than the run, especially toward the end of the year without Williams in the lineup. PFN noted that the 49ers gave up a 37.1 percent pressure rate to opposing rushers. That number seems inflated, but it isn't all the fault of the offensive line. Quarterback Brock Purdy held onto the ball for an average of over three seconds in the pocket, which was the sixth-highest mark in the league. Advertisement San Francisco is likely to let this season play out with McKivitz on a contract year, hoping he is motivated to perform at a high level and earn his next deal. Williams has assured fans that he believes he can play until he's at least 40, but on a relatively aging offense around young QB Purdy, it's never a bad thing to have long-term stability at crucial positions. Related: George Kittle Gets Brutally Honest About Retirement Plans Related: 49ers McCaffrey Update Boosts Confidence for Impactful Return This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
George Karlaftis calls comparison between Josh Simmons, Trent Williams "fair"
The Chiefs drafted Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons in the first round, hoping to end a carousel at the position. Jason Kelce recently compared Simmons to 49ers veteran left tackle Trent Williams. Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis, who went against Simmons in the offseason program, can see why Kelce said what he said. Advertisement "Jason knows what he's talking about when he's talking about alignment, right? But, you know, there's definitely a lot of shades [of Williams] there," Karlaftis told FS1's Speak, via Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports. "Just with the athleticism alone, his size, I think that's a fair comparison, just off the intangibles alone, you know." That's as far as Karlaftis was willing to go, though, with the comparison. Williams has played 15 seasons, made 11 Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro three times. Simmons has yet to play a down in the NFL. "Let's see how he develops," Karlaftis said, pumping the brakes. "I think he has all the tools, the intangibles, and the work ethic to be as great as he wants to be. Yeah, it's all about putting in the work at the end of the day. So, I would agree with Jason's comparison, for sure." Simmons is returning from the patellar tendon he tore against Oregon on Oct. 12, which ended his final college season. He is expected to be fully cleared for training camp.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jason Kelce sees some Trent Williams in Kansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons
Jason Kelce knows a thing or two about great left tackles. Before he played alongside Jordan Mailata, a second-team All-Pro this past season, Kelce shared a Philadelphia Eagles offensive line with a two-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler at the position: Jason Peters. When Kelce, a six-time first-team All-Pro center, talks line play, his words carry the weight he used to move around in the trenches. Advertisement During the latest episode of the "New Heights" podcast, Kelce didn't hold back when discussing one of the league's newest left tackles, Kansas City Chiefs first-round pick Josh Simmons. "I've watched a lot of these linemen coming out the last few years," Jason Kelce said to his co-host and brother Travis Kelce, as well as to their guest, Chiefs right guard Trey Smith. "This kid, I mean he is the closest thing I've seen to like a Trent Williams. ... That next-level strength and athleticism." Williams was the league's top left tackle not too long ago. The now-36-year-old and 11-time Pro Bowler made a run of three straight first-team All-Pro seasons with the San Francisco 49ers from 2021-23. Advertisement Before Simmons can even start his journey to that kind of prestige, the former San Diego State and Ohio State lineman will have to complete his recovery from last year's ACL tear that dropped him to the end of the first round of April's NFL Draft. Then he'll have to win a training camp position battle against Jaylon Moore, whom the Chiefs signed to a two-year deal this offseason. Moore spent his first four NFL seasons with the 49ers, mostly backing up Williams. The Chiefs are looking for an answer at left tackle this season after going through four starters at the position in 2024. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Simmons could fit the bill. "To me, watching the tape [from] college, it was absurd," Jason said of Simmons. "The athletic ability and size. Trav knows because I've been watching this dude, and I've been preaching." Travis interjected. "I've seen it," the Chiefs superstar tight end said on "New Heights," recalling a memory from Chiefs mandatory minicamp. "He was playing defensive end, just like a scout team defensive end. And he was just playing his gap. But he was being a pro. He was being locked in and being a pro, and I felt that man's hands grab me, and I was like, 'Alright! Alright!' I got to come with it, even when he's just giving the looks. I got to make sure I've got my feet planted, man. Advertisement Simmons was enjoying a breakout season at Ohio State last fall before going down with his season-ending knee injury on the road against Oregon on Oct. 12. He hadn't allowed a sack in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus, which also had him down for just one pressure conceded and one penalty committed in six games last season. "I haven't seen him in action, but I just heard that he is so strong, like unbelievably strong," said Smith, who made the Pro Bowl at right guard last season. "Obviously the talent is there, man. I've seen some of his film as well, and [he] obviously got a chance to win a natty last year. Shout out to him. But I think he is going to be a great asset to the team, and I'm looking forward to it."
