By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Chiefs capped off a good start to the season in September with a 3-0 start, and two Chiefs players earned AFC Player of the Month honors for helping achieve that mark.
Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Khalil Benson was named AFC Rookie of the Month while running back Kenneth Walker III earned AFC Player of the Month honors. Benson becomes the the fifth rookie to win the award after linebacker Nick Bolton in October 2021, running back Kareem Hunt in September and December of 2017, defensive back Marcus Peters in December 2015, and safety Eric Berry in December 2010. Benson is also the first lineman to win Offensive Rookie of the Month since the Colts Quenton Nelson in October 2018.
It's been quite the start to Benson's NFL career. After not playing left tackle since high school, and going undrafted, then earning a spot on the Chiefs 53 man roster out of Training Camp, Benson has started all three games for Kansas City at left tackle as Josh Simmons deals with a bulging disc in his back. Benson has allowed the third-fewest quarterback pressures of any player at the position. His play has helped the offensive line allow only four sacks so far this season, tied for the fifth-fewest in the league.
As for Walker, the former Super Bowl MVP has been what the Chiefs hoped for out of the backfield. After starting with 173 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in the Chiefs’ season-opening win, Walker’s been the offense’s motor, posting four scrimmage touchdowns, two receiving and two rushing, and heads into October as the NFL’s leading rusher with 360 yards.
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