The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to start an undrafted rookie at left tackle for their season opener against the Denver Broncos, a critical position tasked with protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Kahlil Benson, who played college football for Indiana and Colorado, is expected to make his NFL debut at left tackle following an injury to first-round pick Josh Simmons. Simmons was ruled out for the Monday night game with a lower back injury. This move marks the first time an Andy Reid-led offense in Kansas City will feature an undrafted rookie at this position.
Benson will be responsible for protecting Mahomes' blindside as the star quarterback makes his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suffered in Week 15 of the previous season. Left tackle is widely considered the most important spot on the offensive line.
During training camp, Benson primarily worked at right tackle. He will now shift to the left side, with Jaylon Moore starting at right tackle. "He’s done a nice job for us," head coach Andy Reid told reporters of Benson. "He’s obviously shown us that he has the ability to play. We wouldn’t put him in there if we didn’t think that. ... I think when we first got hired, we thought we probably were pretty good at it, so I want his confidence to be that and go out and play and just use his abilities."
Benson spent his first four seasons at Indiana before transferring to Colorado for a final year. He made 12 starts at right tackle for Indiana last season. He was invited to rookie minicamp and signed a contract with the Chiefs, initially appearing on track to start at right tackle.
"Kahlil has been hungry since day one, eager to learn," teammate Trey Smith said last month during training camp. "He works extremely hard and he's a strong man. I think he has a real aspiration, a real want to be great." Mahomes is preparing for his return to the field after his significant knee injury.