Andy Reid’s decision to trust Kahlil Benson at left tackle looked like a calculated risk on paper. After Week 1, it looks a lot more like a smart bet that paid off.
The undrafted rookie handled the blindside spot in Kansas City’s 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, giving the Chiefs a clean answer at a position that had been thrown into uncertainty by Josh Simmons’ injury. Benson wasn’t just out there surviving, either. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said he allowed one pressure in 32 pass-blocking snaps, and Pro Football Focus credited him with zero quarterback pressures, hits or sacks against a Denver defense that wasn’t exactly handing out easy snaps.
Fowler also noted that Kansas City had originally been looking at Benson as a guard with tackle flexibility. That changed in the third preseason week, when Simmons was out and the Chiefs gave Benson extended work at left tackle. Since then, Fowler wrote, “He has acquitted himself well.”
Benson said he hadn’t played left tackle since high school, but he also made it clear he understood the assignment: be ready for whatever role the team needs. He did that in Week 1, and then some.
For the Chiefs, the bigger picture still carries plenty of uncertainty. There’s no clear timeline on Simmons’ injury, and the team hasn’t provided any firm answers on when he might return. But at least one part of the equation now looks much steadier than it did a week ago.
Kansas City also got a huge offensive lift from offseason acquisition Kenneth Walker III in the win, while Patrick Mahomes was back on the field after suffering an ACL tear. But Benson’s performance may have been the quiet development that mattered most to Reid’s front line.
The next test comes against Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, and Benson appears to have earned another shot to keep proving he belongs.
In Other News...
Chiefs May Have Found A Low-Cost Answer To Their WR Need
The Chiefs have spent plenty of time trying to piece together their receiving room, and one name floating into the conversation is Jerry Jeudy. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently identified Kansas City as a possible landing spot for the Browns wideout, framing him as a lower-cost way to address a roster need without forcing the Chiefs into a bigger splash than they may want to make.
Jeudys contract and Clevelands recent draft investments make him the kind of player whose availability can at least be debated, which is why the fit has drawn attention. For Kansas City, the appeal is obvious if the price is right, but for now it remains just that: a possibility, not a reported deal, leaving the Chiefs to keep weighing their options at receiver. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs May Have Unlocked An Unexpected New Role For Khyiris Tonga
Khyiris Tonga turned Kansas Citys opening win into more than a routine September snapshot, because his night stretched far beyond the usual run of snaps for a defensive lineman. He got work on defense and special teams, but the most eye-catching part of his usage came when the Chiefs leaned on him in an offensive package, a wrinkle that fit into a game where the running attack was a major reason they came away with the victory.
Andy Reid pointed to Tongas versatility after the game, which is the sort of detail that tends to matter in Kansas City when a player starts showing he can solve more than one problem. Whether this becomes a regular part of the Chiefs plans is still the open question, but Tongas role in the opener suggested the staff is willing to keep exploring how much value he can add when the game calls for something a little different. [Read more 🡒]
Patrick Mahomes Is Already Facing An MVP Debate After Week 1
The first week of the NFL season did more than reset the standings. It immediately reshaped the early MVP market, with Josh Allen still sitting as the favorite even as his odds tightened and the rest of the quarterback field shuffled behind him. Caleb Williams, after a high-scoring opener, surged from a long shot into the second spot, a reminder of how quickly the betting board can react when a young passer delivers a headline performance.
For Chiefs fans, the more familiar name in the mix is Patrick Mahomes, whose early odds moved along with the rest of the leagues top quarterbacks after Week 1. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow also saw their numbers shift, underscoring that this race is already being judged less by reputation than by one-week impressions. It is still far too early for any real verdict, but the market has made one thing clear: Kansas Citys quarterback is in a crowded debate before September is even fully underway. [Read more 🡒]