Andy Reid trusts undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson to protect Patrick Mahomes from Broncos' elite pass rush

The Kansas City Chiefs hope a rookie can protect Patrick Mahomes' blindside nearly nine months after the quarterback tore the ACL/LCL in his left knee. 

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Tuesday that Mahomes is on track to start in the team's Week 1 matchup at home against the Denver Broncos on "Monday Night Football." Second-year left tackle Josh Simmons, who has been battling a back injury, isn't. 

With Simmons likely out for Week 1, the Chiefs are expected to turn to offensive lineman Kahlil Benson, an undrafted rookie from the Indiana Hoosiers, and move Jaylon Moore to right tackle. Reid trusts Benson to keep Mahomes on his feet against Denver. 

Andy Reid expresses confidence in Kahlil Benson 

"We try to play the five best guys," Reid said, via ESPN's Nate Taylor. "We're comfortable with Kahlil on either side, and he's been practicing the left side. He's doing a nice job. If he has to be the tackle, he's the left tackle, and we roll with it. That's how that goes." 

Assuming the Chiefs roll with Benson at left tackle, he'll have his work cut out for him against Denver's elite pass rush. Led by star linebacker Nik Bonitto (14 sacks in 2025, No. 5 in NFL), the Broncos etched a league-leading 68 sacks last season.

The unit is expected to be missing one key member in Week 1. The NFL placed Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper (eight sacks in 2025, No. 2 on team) on the commissioner's exempt list because of domestic violence charges stemming from two June arrests. 

Even so, the Broncos defense is deep enough that it should fluster Benson, who struggled in preseason. Pro Football Focus gave him a below-average 35.8 pass-blocking grade. The Athletic's Dane Brugler noted Benson has "sloppy" technique, so he'll need time to refine his pass-blocking skills. 

Benson struggling would spotlight the Chiefs' pass-protection problems. Per Pro Football Reference, Kansas City allowed 168 pressures last season, the fifth most in the NFL. 

Mahomes better be healthy enough to scramble in Week 1. It appears he's going to be doing plenty of it while playing behind an overmatched O-line.