When the Kansas City Chiefs kick off their season opener on Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, an undrafted rookie named Kahlil Benson is set to start at left tackle. It’s a massive gamble. Starting left tackle Josh Simmons has been out with a lower back ailment since midway through training camp, even skipping Thursday’s initial practice this week. That leaves a huge hole for the rookie to fill.
From Tryout to Monday Night Football
Wild ride, right? Benson went completely undrafted in April, only snagging a spot with Kansas City after a rookie camp tryout. That’s a Cinderella story! Here’s the kicker: the guy never took a snap at left tackle in college. This former Indiana and Colorado talent played almost exclusively on the right side, between tackle and guard. Now, he’s protecting Patrick Mahomes in a prime-time season opener. It’s a head-scratcher, but also shows how fast things change in the NFL.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid isn’t sweating it. Before Thursday’s practice, he threw his full weight behind Benson: “He’s done a nice job for us. He’s obviously shown us that he has the ability to play, and we wouldn’t put him in there if we didn’t think that.” Reid also defers to his own and staff’s years of experience, wanting Benson to “go out and play and just use his abilities and write a good story.” BaldyNFL even chimed in, noting Benson “has proven, at least in preseason up against what Spags has put out there in training camp, that he’s held up pretty good.” High praise for an undrafted guy forced into action.
Mahomes’ Trust and the Ultimate Test
This whole situation puts a huge spotlight on Patrick Mahomes. He’s back after tearing multiple knee ligaments last December. But Mahomes won’t let a potential O-line downgrade shake him. The guy has a decade of NFL experience, seen plenty of backups step up. On Thursday, Mahomes kept it real: “Either way, you’ve got to roll. That’s the beauty of football is that it’s next man up, and you have to go up there and compete.” He trusts the process, his coaches, and the guys they put out there. “I’ve got trust in anyone that the coaches put out there, because I know that they’ve worked their tail off to be at that spot,” Mahomes added. Mistakes will happen, but it’s about making plays when they need to be made.
So, Monday night, all eyes on Arrowhead, specifically Kahlil Benson. This isn’t just a game. It’s the ultimate test for an undrafted rookie thrown into the fire against a division rival. Can he hold his own? Can he protect Mahomes when it counts? The Chiefs are banking on it. The entire league will be watching to see if Benson can write a good story from day one.
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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