One day you go undrafted, and the next you're slated to start in the season opener. That's the case with Kansas City Chiefs rookie UDFA Kahlil Benson, who may have gone from an afterthought to potentially the most important player in Week 1.
With Josh Simmons out for the opener — and potentially beyond — Benson will be Mahomes' blindside protector. That's worrisome on its own, but doing so against Nik Bonitto and one of the sturdiest defenses in the league can really spell crisis.
Sean Payton is a savvy coach who knows how to create and attack mismatches. And with Bonitto and Zach Allen on the other side of the field, with Vance Joseph masterminding the defense, it should keep Benson on his toes. And potentially force Mahomes, nine months after ACL surgery running for his life on every dropback.
The Chiefs are putting Mahomes at risk with questionable tackle play
Everybody, even the haters, wants to see Patrick Mahomes play again. His quick return is yet another testament to his work ethic. The Chiefs certainly wouldn't let him play if they didn't think he was ready and healthy enough.
That said, Simmons' situation could've and should've changed their plans. Mahomes might not be as mobile early on in the season after suffering such a major knee injury, and he won't have the same twitchiness to extend plays or avoid sacks.
The Chiefs are risking him getting hurt again by throwing him into the fire against a hard-hitting defense and a divisional rival that will pull no punches against No. 15. With Justin Fields and even Garrett Nussmeier also there, Reid had alternatives to make a different call.
Granted, the Chiefs are coming off the most disappointing campaign of the Andy Reid era, and they know they have to make a statement early on to prove that the dynasty is far from over. However, this is a marathon, not a sprint, and while every game — especially divisional ones — counts, you can't win the Super Bowl in early September.
Benson spent the majority of his collegiate career playing at either right tackle or in the interior. The Chiefs' offensive line depth was a talking point heading into the offseason, and watching them stand pat when guys like Taylor Decker were available was certainly disappointing.
Simmons was entering his second season and had missed extensive time in his young career. It leaves a lack of high-end talent at tackle once again for Kansas City. The Chiefs, who could have placed veteran Jaylon Moore on the left side, might be setting up Patrick Mahomes for failure — and a beating — in his first game back from injury.
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