Patrick Mahomes is set to make his highly anticipated return to the field on Monday night, but holy smokes, he is doing it with a massive challenge already looming. Josh Simmons, the Chiefs’ first-round pick from just last year, 2025, has officially been ruled out of the game against the Denver Broncos due to a back injury. What does this mean? It means our superstar quarterback, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered in December 2025, will have an undrafted rookie, Kahlil Benson, protecting his blind side in his very first NFL game. Talk about a baptism by fire!
Mahomes’ Big Return and a Rookie Wall Against the Champs
Yeah, you absolutely read that right. An *undrafted* rookie left tackle, Kahlil Benson, is stepping in for Simmons, who everyone expected to be the guy anchoring that line. Can you imagine the pressure? Benson’s first career start will be protecting a returning Mahomes, a player who’s been sidelined since December 2025 and is now facing a team that not only *won their division* but also snagged the AFC’s No. 1 seed just last year. That’s a lot to put on anyone’s plate, let alone someone making their NFL debut against that kind of competition. Mahomes will definitely play, no question about that. There are no other Chiefs offensive players even carrying an injury tag, so it’s all systems go for the offense, except for that crucial blindside protector.
Broncos Ready to Attack, Chiefs Under the Spotlight
You think the Broncos are just going to roll out the red carpet for Mahomes to settle back in? Absolutely not! You know darn well their defense is going to try and exploit that left side all night long. With Benson making his debut, Denver’s D is going to bring the heat, testing him hard, looking to get to Mahomes early and often. It’s the most obvious game plan in the book. And it’s not just the offensive line taking hits; defensive back Chamarri Conner is also out with a knee injury, adding to the Chiefs’ early season challenges. The Chiefs, who finished a disappointing 6-11 in 2025, really need to turn things around fast. Even with these setbacks, they’re actually 2.5-point favorites heading into this Monday night showdown. That tells you how much faith the oddsmakers still have in Mahomes, even with a rookie protecting him against a top-tier Broncos squad. This isn’t just a game; it’s a statement.
Monday Night’s Ultimate Test
So, when Monday night rolls around, every single set of eyes will be on Mahomes’ patented mobility and, even more critically, how Kahlil Benson handles the intense pressure cooker of his very first NFL start. Can the rookie hold his own against a division winner, or will the Broncos make life absolutely miserable for the returning MVP? This game isn’t just some regular season opener; it’s an immediate, high-stakes test for the entire Chiefs offensive line and a critical statement game for Mahomes as he tries to get his team back on track after a truly tough 2025. Get ready for some serious, immediate drama.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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