Chiefs Rookie OT Kahlil Benson Embracing Whatever Role Comes His Way

The Indiana product revealed his mindset as he adjusts to the NFL and competes for a starting role in Kansas City.

Indiana Hoosiers offensive lineman Kahlil Benson (67) walks onto the field Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

One of the best stories of the Kansas City Chiefs training camp has been offensive tackle Kahlil Benson. The undrafted rookie out of Indiana has turned enough heads at K.C.'s facility to go from a long shot for the 53-man roster to a feasible candidate to start at right tackle in Week 1.

Benson's rapid growth couldn't have been predicted by anyone but himself. The 6-foot-6, 319-pound freak still has a ways to go with his technique and footwork, but possesses exceptional raw physical tools.

On Wednesday, Benson met with the media for a four-minute press conference to discuss some of the early rumblings at camp. He was asked how a player like him, who just came off an undefeated national championship season at Indiana, could have gone so under the radar among NFL scouts. Benson chalked it up to the reality of life and the challenges football players have to embrace.

"Realistically, whatever position you get put in, you got to take it on the chin," Benson said. "Being a football player, stuff happens, so just being able to move past one thing and put one foot before the other one and keep going and make sure there's nothing else on the table."

While he was primarily a tackle at the collegiate level, the Chiefs have slid him over to right guard with Trey Smith sidelined by a hip injury in camp. Given that he's a rookie whose roster spot is still up in the air, Benson is willing to do whatever he needs to get on the field and secure a long-term future in Kansas City.

He takes pride in his work as an offensive lineman, specifically his ability to be coachable and willing to learn and adapt.

"Showing the humbleness, and the confidence, and the coaches being able to trust you," he said about what he values as a lineman. "Being able to move forward, and when there’s time to be corrected, being able to be corrected, and then being able to just go out to the next play and then do what you got to do the next play."

The Memphis native stressed the importance of staying ready every day and taking advice from his coaches to continue improving. His maturity is already shining through early in his NFL career.

"Being able to take those coaching points from them, as well as from your coaches, you have to be ready when your number is called. Our vets and everybody here have been making sure that all us rookies have been on point."

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