NFL

Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only Chiefs player who will be feeling the spotlight when Kansas City hosts the Broncos on «Monday Night Football,:

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The Chiefs standout will look to make up for lost time after seeing his 2025 season come to a premature ending after tearing his ACL and LCL last December. Keeping Mahomes upright and healthy will be a primary concern for Kansas City and its offensive line in 2026. Among the players tasked with that responsibility is Kahlil Benson, an undrafted newcomer who surged into the starting lineup after recording glittering displays in training camp and preseason.

Typically deployed on the right side of the offensive line, Benson is set to start at left tackle on Monday night. He has never played there before.

With that, here’s what you need to know about Benson’s ascent into the the Chiefs’ starting ranks.

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Meet the Chiefs rookie who has never played left tackle

Benson is in line to start for the Chiefs in their season-opener against the Broncos. The 24-year-old enjoyed two stints at Indiana separated by a one-year run at Colorado. Benson spent time at right guard, right tackle and left guard throughout his collegiate career. He was the Hoosiers’ starting right tackle when they claimed their first national title in 2026.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 319 pounds, Benson drew rave reviews for his ability to leverage his size to leave rushers in the canvas. His technique and ability to contain twitchy edge rushers remains a cause for concern. But his physical tools — including 35-inch long arms — were enough to captivate Kansas City’s front office, which offered him a contract after he impressed in rookie minicamp.

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«He’s done a great job just competing,» Mahomes said of Benson, per ESPN. «I remember watching [rookie minicamp] film and seeing that guy and seeing him kind of do stuff the right way. And he’s just gotten better and better all the way to this point.»

Kansas City gave Benson the lion’s share of its first-team practice reps at right tackle during training camp, tipping him as a candidate to replace veteran Jaylon Moore. Josh Simmons’ back injury has put a pause on those plans; Benson will slide down the line to protect Mahomes’ blind side, a daunting proposition — but one that appears to reflect how highly the organization views him.

«He’s done a nice job for us,» Reid said of Benson, per ESPN. «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.

«We’ve all been through 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.»

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