A Rookie Mini-Camp Invitee Might Be Making History in 2026 for the Chiefs and the League
Rookies drafted into the National Football League out of college are defying astronomical odds to gain entry into an elite fraternity. Out of tens of thousands of hopefuls across the country, with dreams of gridiron glory, of turning backyard Super Bowl-winning fantasies into reality, less than two percent of eligible college players are selected in the draft. For undrafted free agents to be signed by a team, the odds are even slimmer. Approximately 50 or fewer UDFAs across the league will secure roster spots on a team. Former Indiana Hoosier and undefeated national champion Kahlil Benson, however, faces even tighter odds than that, making his underdog story one of the best to come out of the NFL in years. If he earns a starting role, it could be the best football underdog story ever.
Undrafted free agents are players who dropped just outside the draft for whatever reason; teams invite them to training camp, typically within days of the draft’s conclusion. If a UDFA makes the roster, he will sign a multi-year league-minimum contract worth $885,000. Benson received no such call; the Kansas City Chiefs called him not to appear at training camp, like a regular UDFA, but to be a tryout for rookie mini-camp. Essentially, he would be trying out to be a body to fill out the roster. Once the 23-year-old progressed into rookie mini-camp, he was recognized as much more than just a body and was invited to training camp, where he has thoroughly impressed everyone on the team, competing with starters. The odds of getting to where Benson is now are almost zero. In fact, they have been zero. If the offensive lineman earns a starting position, it would be the first time in league history that a rookie mini-camp invitee begins his career as a Week One starter.
To begin his career on that historic note, the six-foot-six, 319lb tackle will have to beat out five-year veteran Jaylon Moore. He has the chance to take a big step in that direction in Kansas City’s first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Benson is expected to play right guard when protecting quarterback Justin Fields and right tackle when protecting LSU rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Executing well in these two roles will demonstrate versatility that will bring him closer to reaching the summit of a mountain of odds that have been against him, and to landing the spot of protecting one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, Patrick Mahomes. The fact that the Tennessee native has been getting consistent first-team reps in training camp and is now gaining trust in not just one but two positions speaks to his impressive standing with the team. The Indiana Hoosiers were essentially a non-factor for decades in the college football world before not only winning the National Championship, but going undefeated. It seems some of that odds-defying magic might have rubbed off on the Chiefs rookie whose story becomes more incredible by the day.
