Kahlil Benson is rocking the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line right now, starting at right tackle virtually every single practice with Patrick Mahomes and the first-team offense. It’s a development that’s shifted from a “long-term outlook” kind of deal to a screaming alarm bell for the 2026 season, and it totally puts Jaylon Moore’s massive $30 million free agent signing from last year in a brutal spotlight.
The Benson Bump: A Fun Story, But What’s It Mean?
Seriously, Benson getting this kind of run with the starters isn’t just a rotation anymore. He’s lining up with guys like Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith. That’s big-time company! And while it’s cool to see a “surprise” player like Benson stepping up, this situation says a whole lot more about Moore than it does about Benson’s meteoric rise. We’re talking about a guy signed last year for $30 million who suddenly looks like a depth piece, maybe a sixth offensive lineman, instead of the starting tackle the Chiefs thought they were getting.
Jaylon Moore: A Pricey Problem For The Front Office
If Benson is actually winning this job, then Moore’s contract isn’t just a roster decision anymore, it’s an expensive miss. We’ve heard all offseason about the Chiefs’ weird interest in other tackles, in free agency and then in the draft. Why look for an off-ramp when they just paid so much for the guy they wanted as their 2026 stopgap? The buzz just wouldn’t die down. Now it’s clear why. Did the Chiefs know Moore was a “lemon” all along? If so, why didn’t they push harder to protect Mahomes, who’s coming off a serious knee injury? This whole situation has really tied the Chiefs’ hands financially.
The Cap Crunch Is Real
Moore is on the books for a staggering $18.6 million this year, making his cap hit larger than everyone on the team except for Chris Jones, Patrick Mahomes, Trey Smith, and Nick Bolton. Then you’ve got Kristian Fulton, who’s got a $13 million cap hit and ranks seventh on the team. Together, Moore and Fulton are eating up $32 million against the cap from last year’s free agent class. That’s a huge chunk of change to have tied up in players who might not even be living up to their price tag, especially when you consider the overall impact on the team and their ability to protect their franchise quarterback. The Chiefs have some serious questions to answer about these costly decisions moving forward.
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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