In Patrick Mahomes’ return from torn ACL, Chiefs likely to turn to undrafted rookie left tackle to start

When Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down with a torn ACL, there were panic-stricken takes that he might miss some or most of the 2026 season.

That didn’t happen. At every step of Mahomes’ recovery he has looked right on track, and it will culminate with him starting on Monday night. He made it back for Week 1, which was within the normal timetable for his injury.

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Mahomes should be fine for the opener. But the Chiefs’ issues around him persist.

The last thing the Chiefs want to do in Mahomes’ first game back, against a very good Denver Broncos defense, is put him in harm’s way. But with preferred left tackle Josh Simmons dealing with a back injury and Jaylon Moore, just signed to a two-year, $30 million deal this offseason, staying at right tackle, the Chiefs have had to scramble.

The result is that Mahomes will return and be protected by an undrafted rookie left tackle against a Broncos defense that led the NFL with 68 sacks last season. That’s not ideal.

Kahlil Benson could make start in NFL debut

The Chiefs seem set to turn to Kahlil Benson at left tackle. He played at Indiana and Colorado but was undrafted in April. Benson played at guard and right tackle in college but not at left tackle. He signed a three-year, $3.1 million deal with no guaranteed money to join the Chiefs.

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That’s who the Chiefs apparently will have protecting Mahomes’ blind side against the Broncos on Monday night.

“He’s done a nice job for us,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, via Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. “He has obviously shown us that he has the ability to play. We wouldn’t put him in there if we didn’t think that.”

Reid said that he thinks Benson has the confidence to do the job, as daunting as it might be.

“I want his confidence to be that, and just go out and play, just use his abilities and write a good story,” Reid said.

Chiefs have to protect Mahomes

Benson’s first game at left tackle in many years will come mostly against Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto, one of the best in the NFL. There were obvious and normal concerns over how mobile Mahomes will be less than nine months removed from a torn ACL. He might have to be able to move around, unless Benson has a surprising performance in his NFL debut.

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The Chiefs could have a different offensive line plan in mind for Monday night and aren’t revealing it. Perhaps Benson is fantastic right away; he was a starter for Indiana’s tremendous national championship team. There are plenty of great stories of undrafted free agents becoming great players and maybe Benson is the next one. Teammates raved about him in camp.

However, it’s risky. Mahomes already had to do too much last season. The Chiefs’ line has been a work in progress for a few seasons, and his crew of pass catchers has had questions too. New running back Kenneth Walker III will alleviate some pressure, but Mahomes is still going to be dropping back plenty. In Week 1, he’s doing so against one of the top defenses in the NFL. The Chiefs might need to help Benson throughout the game, which hinders their passing game.

One way or another, Benson will be a big story Monday night as a huge audience watches. Either he plays great and it’s a huge positive for the Chiefs, or he’s a big reason Mahomes is under duress in his first game back. That’s a lot of pressure for anyone, much less a rookie.