Chiefs offensive line uncertainty.
Kansas City Chiefs face Denver Broncos amid growing offensive line concerns.
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Key Points
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Denver coach Sean Payton said Kansas City’s recent dominance had included nine consecutive AFC West titles before Denver ended that run last season.
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If Josh Simmons cannot play, Kansas City is expected to use Jaylon Moore at left tackle and Kahlil Benson at right tackle; Benson would be only the third undrafted rookie tackle since 2000 to start Week 1 as a rookie, according to TruMedia.
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The Chiefs’ offensive-line concerns developed after the team rotated tackles Jaylon Moore and Kahlil Benson into interior-line work when right guard Trey Smith missed time with a back injury, signaling uncertainty among the interior backups even before the later trades.
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Andy Reid’s brief absence was connected to caring for his wife, Mia; his return also required him to reassert his methods after backup coaches had handled practices in their own ways, according to the discussion surrounding the team.
The Kansas City Chiefs open their 2026 season at home against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14, desperate to snap a three-game losing streak to their AFC West rival after finishing 6-11 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. ESPN reported that offensive-line depth is the team's biggest worry, with left tackle Josh Simmons sidelined by a back injury and recent additions unlikely to step in immediately.
Patrick Mahomes returns from knee surgery into an uncertain blocking scheme. If Simmons cannot play, the Chiefs plan to start Jaylon Moore at left tackle and Kahlil Benson at right tackle—TruMedia notes Benson would be only the third undrafted rookie tackle since 2000 to start Week 1 as a rookie. Coach Andy Reid's recent return has refocused the team on accountability and consistency before the opener.
A Three-Year Slump Ends Kansas City's Dynasty Run
Kansas City ruled the AFC West for nine straight years before Denver ended that dominance last season with a 20-13 win. ESPN noted that the Chiefs' 6-11 finish marked their worst record in over a decade. Now the Broncos return to Arrowhead seeking to prove last year wasn't a fluke.
Rookie Tackles Replace Experience in Front of Mahomes
The Chiefs face a tackle crisis that forces them to trust youth over experience. Kahlil Benson, an undrafted rookie, would start at right tackle alongside Jaylon Moore at left tackle if Simmons remains sidelined. TruMedia reports Benson would join only two other undrafted rookies since 2000 to start Week 1 at tackle—a statistically rare position for unproven talent.
Interior depth compounds the problem. The Chiefs rotated Moore and Benson into guard work when right guard Trey Smith missed time with a back injury, signaling weakness in the backup plan. New York Times reported that these offensive-line concerns developed during preseason. New acquisitions Joshua Ezeudu and Diego Pounds lack sufficient time to master the complex Reid offense.
Arrowhead's Noise Becomes Denver's Silent Obstacle
Denver head coach Sean Payton emphasized that Kansas City's home advantage presents an unusual challenge. Essentially Sports reported that Payton cited the crowd noise as a major factor that disrupts quarterback-center communication. The Broncos must rely on silent counts and clear hand signals instead of traditional snap calls.
Noise interference affects more than just basic communication. Denver's protection adjustments and blocking assignments become harder to relay. Against Steve Spagnuolo's disguised pressure packages and occasional zero blitzes, the Broncos need precise recognition at the line. Preparation must prioritize communication systems alongside individual matchups.
Reid's Return Signals a Shift in Kansas City's Culture
Andy Reid briefly stepped away to care for his wife, Mia. His return to the sideline brought immediate reassertions of coaching authority and consistent practice methods. Yahoo Sports noted that backup coaches had developed their own approaches during his absence, creating inconsistency in how plays were taught and executed.
Reid's hands-on leadership aims to restore accountability before the opener. The Chiefs appear to be adjusting from an offense built solely on established Mahomes-to-receiver patterns toward a more flexible system shaped by personnel limits and protection needs. Execution and adaptability now matter more than expanding the playbook after a rebuilding offseason.
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