Chiefs rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson earns 77% grade through first four games

Kansas City entered its bye week unbeaten at 4-0, with rookie offensive lineman Kahlil Benson starting every game at left tackle after a season-ending injury to veteran Josh Simmons. The Chiefs relied on Benson to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side despite the young player's limited experience at the position.

Analyst grades, which separate run blocking, true pass protection and assisted pass protection, show Benson at 74% in both run blocking and true pass protection, and 85% in assisted pass protection, resulting in an overall 77% rating through four weeks against several top pass rushers.

"Benson has not allowed a sack this season," a team spokesperson noted, attributing the success partly to the Chiefs' quicker passing rhythm, which reduced Mahomes' pocket time to 2.2 seconds per throw, below the league average.

The evaluation highlighted Benson's physical strength and ability to engage edge rushers such as Nik Bonitto, while also pointing out occasional lapses in hand placement and speed that can affect his pass-blocking consistency. In the run game, his power and background as a college guard helped open lanes for running back Kenneth Walker, contributing to the team's balanced offensive attack.

Coaches indicated that while Benson may not be a long-term solution at left tackle, his performance suggests he could continue to develop at either tackle or guard for Kansas City.