Arrowhead Pride Midseason Awards: The Chiefs’ Top Offensive Rookie

Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There are eight games in the books - with nine more to go. TheKansas City Chiefs' 2026 season reaches its midpoint in Week 10. Because the team's bye came so early in Week 5, we have decided to move our annual awards to midseason.

Nine members of the Arrowhead Pride writing staff each had one vote for our seven midseason awards, so nine votes will be tallied for each award.

So far, we've awarded:

Most Improved Player: DB Chris Roland-Wallace

Top Defensive Rookie: CB Mansoor Delane

Protector of the Year: RG Trey Smith

In this post, we'll reveal the top offensive rookie.

OT Kahlil Benson

VOTING: Kahlil Benson (6), RB Emmett Johnson (3)

It's certainly not flashy for an offensive lineman to be the team's top rookie on offense. The stats may not be there, but because of his availability and exceeding expectations, undrafted rookie offensive tackle Kahlil Benson brings home the award at the midpoint of the season.

Entering training camp, much of Chiefs' Kingdom may not have even known who Benson was. An undrafted rookie from the national-champion Indiana Hoosiers, Benson entered training camp as depth on the offensive line, or as a potential challenger for the starting right tackle role. Forced into the lineup after left tackle Josh Simmons suffered a back injury, Benson has been a steady presence on the line, protecting the blindside of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Never starting at left tackle in college, Benson has started all eight games at the position for the Chiefs. Even more impressive, he has played all 510 of the team's offensive snaps. He is Kansas City's player to play every offensive single snap.

According to Pro Football Focus, Benson has allowed 22 pressures, 13 hits, and no sacks on the quarterback so far this season. He is currently ranked 53rd out of 71 qualifying tackles with an overall grade of 61.8 on the season. His run-blocking grade (70.9) is significantly better than his pass-blocking grade (46.7).

Benson's role could change in the coming weeks. If Simmons returns to the lineup at left tackle, Benson would either slide to his more natural position at right tackle or serve as valuable depth as a swing tackle along the line. But based on his play so far in 2026, Benson clearly has a future role in the Chiefs' offense.

It's not often an undrafted player has this important a role on a football team. The Chiefs have half a billion dollars invested in Mahomes, and all their postseason hopes riding on him staying upright for 17 games. Because of Benson's steady presence on the offensive line and his more-than-admirable play in this role, he is a very deserving recipient of Arrowhead Pride's Midseason Offensive Rookie of the Year.