When the Kansas City Chiefs host the Denver Broncos on the season opener of “Monday Night Football” to close Week 1, all indications are that rookie Kahlil Benson will start at left tackle.
Starter Josh Simmons has been out of action since midway through training camp with a lower back ailment. Simmons missed this week’s initial practice on Thursday.
The decision is curious in that Benson went undrafted in April — and only signed with Kansas City after trying out at the team’s rookie camp. Also, the former
Indiana and Colorado talent never took a snap at left tackle in college. Benson has played almost exclusively on the right side both at tackle and guard.
Speaking before Thursday’s practice, head coach Andy Reid expressed confidence in Benson’s ability to hold down the fort for Simmons. Reid also defers to his own years of experience and that of the coaching staff.
“He’s done a nice job for us,” Reid remarked of the rookie. “He’s obviously shown us that he has the ability to play, and we wouldn’t put him in there if we didn’t think that.
“We’ve all been through that. I think when we first got hired, we thought we probably were pretty good at it. So, I want his confidence to be that and go out and play and just use his abilities and write a good story.”
Benson will be tasked with protecting star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is expected to see his first game action on Monday since tearing multiple knee ligaments in December. A decade of NFL experience has taught Mahomes to be ready when backups are on the field. He trusts that Benson will get the job done — and the possible downgrade on the offensive line does not change his own responsibilities.
“Either way,” said Mahomes on Thursday, “you’ve got to roll. That’s the beauty of football is that it’s next man up, and you have to go up there and compete. These guys have gotten a ton of reps in training camp. They’ve gotten a ton of reps throughout their entire life, and they’re going out and living their dream as well.
“So, I’ve got trust in anyone that the coaches put out there, because I know that they’ve worked their tail off to be at that spot. There’ll be mistakes here and there, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to go out there and trust those guys and make the plays whenever the plays need to be made.”
