When Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, there were alarmed predictions he could miss part or most of the 2026 season. That never came to pass — his rehab has progressed smoothly and he’s cleared to start Monday night, returning in Week 1 on a timeframe that’s typical for this injury.
Mahomes should be ready for the opener, but protection around him remains a concern. Left tackle Josh Simmons is dealing with a back issue, and Jaylon Moore — who inked a two-year, $30 million deal this offseason — will stay at right tackle, leaving the Chiefs scrambling for a blind-side solution. As a result, an undrafted rookie is likely to be Mahomes’ left-side protector against a Denver pass rush that led the NFL with 68 sacks last year.
Kahlil Benson appears set to get the start. Benson, who played at Indiana and Colorado, went undrafted in April; he took snaps at guard and right tackle in college but hasn’t played left tackle at the pro level. He signed a three-year, $3.1 million contract with no guarantees to join Kansas City. Coach Andy Reid has praised Benson’s work in camp and said the staff believes he can handle the assignment, urging him to be confident and “go out and play.”
Benson’s debut will likely pit him mainly against edge rusher Nik Bonitto, one of Denver’s most effective pass rushers. There are legitimate questions about how much Mahomes will want or be able to move less than nine months after ACL surgery — and whether Benson can hold up without consistent help. The Chiefs could unveil a different protection plan, and there’s always a chance Benson surprises and performs well right away; teammates reportedly liked what they saw in camp. Still, Kansas City’s offensive line has been a work in progress, and with other offensive uncertainties despite adding running back Kenneth Walker III, Mahomes may face plenty of dropbacks against one of the league’s top defenses. If the Chiefs have to chip or keep extra bodies to help Benson, their passing game may suffer. Either Benson looks like a steal and stabilizes the line, or he struggles and contributes to Mahomes being under pressure — a lot to ask of a rookie in his first NFL game.
Fan take: This matters because Mahomes’ health and immediate protection dictate how explosive the Chiefs’ offense can be early in the season, and a shaky blind side against a top pass rush could alter the AFC race right away. If Benson succeeds, it’s a feel-good story that highlights how undrafted players can impact the league; if not, it underscores how crucial offensive-line depth is in protecting elite quarterbacks and preserving the quality of play.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
