The Broncos are getting ready for Monday night’s matchup with the Chiefs, and the conversation has mostly centered on Patrick Mahomes coming back after knee surgery. But the bigger opening for Denver might be on the edge, where Kansas City suddenly looks vulnerable at both tackle spots.
Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons probably won’t play, according to the team’s announcement, which pushes Mahomes into a new setup with undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson protecting his blind side. That’s not exactly ideal for a quarterback return, especially with Denver’s pass rush waiting to test every weak link.
The right side isn’t giving Kansas City much comfort, either. Jaylon Moore was already under real pressure for his job from Benson before Simmons was sidelined, and now the Chiefs may be rolling out two tackles that leave plenty of room for concern.
“Josh is rehabbing,” said coach Andy Reid in a report from Jesse Newell of The Athletic. “This isn’t something that is anything other than him having an issue with his back.
It’s a matter of time here. But he continues to work hard with (head athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) and do his part there.”
That’s the reality that has changed the feel of this Week 1 matchup. A few weeks ago, Benson at left tackle might have looked like a manageable solution. Now, after his preseason struggles, it’s a far shakier proposition with Mahomes back in the huddle.
“We’re comfortable with Kahlil on either side,” Reid said as he tried to counter that impression. “He’s been playing the left side, so we feel comfortable with that. We’ll end up playing the five best guys, and he’s one of them right now.”
Benson’s background makes the switch even more notable. He played in 16 games at Indiana last season and made 12 starts, all at right tackle. He didn’t take any snaps at left tackle there, and now he’s being asked to handle Mahomes’ blind side.
“If he has to be the left tackle, then he’s the left tackle and we roll with it,” Reid said. “That’s just how it goes.”
His preseason issues came into focus against Rueben Bain in Kansas City’s final preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Benson had trouble handling a silent snap count, per Newell. Still, Reid kept backing the rookie and leaned on the same traits he’s pointed to before.
“He normally doesn’t make the same mistake twice, which I’ve mentioned before. That’s an important quality to have,” Reid said.
“And he’s tough. It’s just, he doesn’t have a whole lot of reps under his belt at this level, being a rookie.
But he’s very willing, and if he has to step in there and play - which it looks like he probably will - we feel comfortable with that.”
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