The Kansas City Chiefs are 2-0 through two weeks of the NFL season, and that has come with rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle in place of the injured Josh Simmons (Shoulder).
Last year’s starting right tackle at the University of Indiana has played every possible snap on the blind side so far, all 149 per Pro Football Focus, and has filled in admirably. He has allowed four hurries and two quarterback hits through two games, but hasn’t been faulted for any of the four sacks quarterback Patrick Mahomes
has taken against the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
He has held up on pass downs, with plenty of challenges to come if he stays in the lineup, but Benson’s run blocking has made him “one of the Chiefs’ five best linemen” right now, in the words of head coach Andy Reid before the season opener.
During the preseason, Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck said the coaching staff “could see [Benson] had dominant physical traits.” He has shown that off on run plays early on.
Benson shows off effortless power with his hands after climbing to the second level to nonchalantly pancake a Colts safety. The power he brings to blocks has stood out throughout practice and game observations.
He fires off the ball and uses that huge frame — 6 feet 6 inches tall with 34 1/2-inch arms — to create space for the Chiefs’ running backs. Running back Kenneth Walker had 10 carries to the left side of the line against Indianapolis; he totaled 69 rushing yards (6.9 yards per attempt) on those runs.
After the game, head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the rookie’s efforts.
“Yeah, there are a couple hiccups in there, but he was going against a good player,” Reid said to reporters. “And I thought he did a decent job… (General Manager Brett) Veach, great eyes, great eyes. I mean, to bring him in here, and then (Offensive Line Coach) Andy Heck believing in him and coaching him up, the kid believing in himself.
“I think he’s winning over a lot of people,” Reid said.
Is he winning over the coaching staff to keep him in the starting lineup? With the anticipation of Simmons’ return, should we anticipate Benson sliding over to the right side?
Or does Benson stay in Simmons’ place regardless of the injury report? Right tackle Jaylon Moore didn’t allow a pressure over 51 pass blocks against the Colts, per PFF. He had a rougher performance in Week 1, but either way, the Chiefs will soon have to make decisions about their starting five up front.
