The Kansas City Chiefs got the kind of Monday night win that can make a rookie class look a little bigger than it really is. The veterans made plenty of noise against the Denver Broncos, but several first-year players flashed in ways that should keep them in the conversation when the Chiefs turn around and face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night.
The biggest buzz after the game centered on left tackle Kahlil Benson. Defensive end George Karlaftis said Benson “balled out,” per Nate Taylor of ESPN, and the Chiefs leaned into that performance by using him mostly as a run blocker.
It worked cleanly against Denver, but the challenge changes fast now. Andy Reid told the rookies there’s tape out there on them now, and that other coaches will be digging into what worked so smoothly on Monday night.
Benson’s night still stood out for more than one reason. Taylor noted that he allowed just one pressure to Denver linebacker Nik Bonitto, a defender who usually brings real juice off the edge. Patrick Mahomes also reminded Benson that he’s playing a game he’s loved since he was a kid, but the Chiefs want to see cleaner footwork when the rookie lines up against Colts edge rushers Arden Key and Laiatu Latu.
R Mason Thomas also gave Kansas City a useful moment with a key sack against Denver. Taylor reported that Thomas recognized how fast the league moves, especially with the short turnaround before the Colts game. That’s the NFL in a nutshell: one week you’re celebrating, the next you’re trying to do it again before anyone has time to forget your name.
Emmett Johnson added his own contribution, finishing with 68 yards on ten touches, per Taylor. Johnson said there’s still room to improve, and that there’s plenty of football left as he keeps working to get better.
The first rookie to make a real splash was Mansoor Delane, who picked off a pass in the opening quarter and helped set the tone. Peter Woods said he wasn’t surprised by Delane’s play, and Woods also did his part while rotating in for defensive tackle Chris Jones, who came up with a big fumble recovery.
The matchup ahead looks friendlier on paper for Kansas City, especially with Daniel Jones carrying a rough record in prime-time and late-window games. The Colts are coming off a 41-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, so Sunday night gives both teams plenty to sort out - and gives the Chiefs’ rookies another quick test to see whether their early success can hold up once the league gets a fresh look.
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