After not being one of the eight Indiana Hoosiers selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, offensive lineman Kahlil Benson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 4.
Benson's journey to the NFL wasn't an easy one, as he had to go through a rookie tryout alongside 75+ other players before even getting a shot at training camp. He then made the 53-man roster, and was named Kansas City's starting left tackle for Week 1, which marked the first time that a Chiefs rookie was a Week 1 starter in the Andy Reid era.
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Kansas City clearly saw something in Benson, and so far, the former Hoosier has made the most of his opportunity.
Kahlil Benson earns AFC Rookie of the Month honors
On Thursday, Benson was named as the AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month for September. The recognition shows just how effective he has been in the beginning of his NFL career, and could be a sign of things to come.
The Rookies of the Month for September, presented by @pepsi pic.twitter.com/e4evdnh3z1
— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2026
Benson has a big role to play as the primary protector of superstar QB Patrick Mahomes. That can be intimidating for a rookie. But Benson has thrived in the first month of his NFL career.
Through three games, Benson has allowed just 6 total pressures on Mahomes. That is good for the 3rd-fewest in all of football according to Next Gen Stats. Furthermore, he's played a vital role in a Kansas City offensive line that has allowed just 4 sacks, which is the fewest in the entire AFC. Keeping Mahomes upright is undoubtedly a primary focus for the Chiefs, and they have trusted Benson with taking the lead with that important responsibility.
Benson has also helped pave the way for a Chiefs rushing attack that has already accumulated 460 yards on the ground. That is the 5th-most in the NFL, while Kansas City's 5.0 yards per rush is good for 6th. No matter how you slice it, Benson has been elite throughout the first three weeks as a Chief. If he keeps this up, he has a chance to carve out a tremendous career in the NFL.
What makes Benson's strong NFL start even more impressive is the fact that he never played a single snap at left tackle in college. He made 12 starts at right tackle last season for Indiana while playing a key role in the Hoosiers' historic National Championship run. Getting to the NFL and making the team as a rookie is hard enough, but Benson has done so while learning an entirely different position. Not only that, but he's been elite in his new role. It's not often a story like this comes around.
Benson and the Chiefs are off to a 3-0 start and averaging 29.3 points per game. Kansas City's next game is set for this Sunday against the Raiders. Keep it up, Kahlil!
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