The Kansas City Chiefs begin their 2026 season at home against the Denver Broncos. While most people will be focusing on Patrick Mahomes' return to the lineup, there will be a lot of other people keeping a close eye on the left tackle position.
The Chiefs spent their first-round pick in last year's draft on Josh Simmons but he's unfortunately not available for this game. Andy Reid has elected to have Kahlil Benson start in Simmons' absence and it's a risky decision, to say the least.
Benson did not hear his name called in this year's draft despite playing well at the University of Indiana and helping the Hoosiers win their first-ever national title while playing right tackle. Benson impressed everyone at Chiefs' camp and worked his way onto the roster, knocking Esa Pole out of that spot.
Now, not only is Benson on the Chiefs' active roster, but he's also going to start at left tackle in his first-ever NFL game. Yes, an undrafted rookie who predominantly played right tackle in college is going to be protecting Patrick Mahomes' blindside in his first game back from injury. That's a pretty terrifying thought.
Andy Reid is putting Kahlil Benson in the crosshairs
It's also very unlike Reid to make a decision like this. The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore last offseason and he has experience at left tackle, which is why he was initially brought in. That being said, Reid is clearly confident in Benson and what he can bring at left tackle and is keeping Moore on the right side of the line. Again, very risky but Reid must be seeing something the rest of us don't.
Making this all even more intimidating is that Benson's task is to slow down the ferocious Denver pass rush, one that lead the league in sacks a season ago. It's not going to be an easy feat for anyone yet Reid is putting that challenge on an undrafted rookie playing out of position in his first-ever NFL game. Hopefully, his gamble is correct because the Chiefs can't win without a healthy Mahomes and this decision could easily make Mahomes' life miserable on Monday night.
The hope is that Simmons doesn't miss too much time and can eventually come back and be the franchise left tackle the Chiefs drafted him to be. Until that time comes, however, Benson is the guy getting the nod at left tackle and he better bring his A-game. Otherwise, it's going to be a long night for Mahomes and Chiefs fans.
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