Entering the 2026 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs knew they needed something special from their rookie class. In Week 1, they delivered, and things are only looking up from here.

It started just three plays into the first defensive series with rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane recording an interception. Unfortunately, Delane was injured on that play. However, the good performances didn’t stop with Delane. Undrafted rookie free agent Kahlil Benson pitched a shutout with no pressures on 34 pass-blocking snaps. R Mason Thomas looked the part rushing the passer, recording his first career NFL sack along with multiple pressures. Defensive tackle Peter Woods impressed against the run, recorded a pressure, and got his hands up to bat away a pass. Rookie running back Emmett Johnson also came in for Kenneth Walker and was just as elusive and explosive, with 68 yards from scrimmage.

Those performances helped fuel a dominant 31-10 win over Denver, but what they say about the future is more impressive. This team now has the confidence to rely more on its rookie class.

Andy Reid breaks down the rookie performances

Head coach Andy Reid spoke about the performances after the game:

“They all gave us something different, obviously by position, but (Kahlil) Benson, obviously, his protection and then run-blocking part of it looked like his assignments were good. R Mason (Thomas), I thought, was bringing it. He gives you good speed off the edge, and I saw that in the pressure. We had the deflected ball by Peter (Woods). (Mansoor) Delane, the interception. Who else am I missing there? The runner, Emmett (Johnson), obviously, what we talked about with the contact balance and seeing things and hitting it fast.”

Reid noted from training camp that this was the exact type of performance the team would need. He said the rookies still have to keep working, growing, and improving as the season goes on. They have to stack performances. However, Kansas City needed this type of production from those players out of the gate. Now they can build on those performances and work toward what they know each of these players can be as professionals.

The best part? The Chiefs didn’t even get all their rookies involved

Perhaps the best part about the Week 1 win is that the Chiefs didn’t get all of their rookies involved. Rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen, perhaps the most hyped rookie heading into the 2026 NFL season, didn’t see much action against the Broncos. He had one route where he got open, but Mahomes couldn’t get him that ball. That doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be the case in the future, though, because the passing game wasn’t a focal point in Week 1.

DBs Jadon Canady and Xavier Nwankpa were relegated to special teams-only snaps with about 11 snaps for each rookie. Garrett Nussmeier was inactive, but was designated the emergency third quarterback. That keeps him dressed for game day and involved on the sidelines. Diego Pounds, Bryson Eason and Jack Pyburn were also inactive after just five practices with their new team. Once they get up to speed? There will be plenty of opportunities to go around.

Patrick Mahomes loves what he saw from the rookie class

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also was very impressed with what he saw from the rookies on Monday night.

“Yeah, it was big,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, Mansoor (Delane) started off with the interception, and then R Mason (Thomas) had a sack. I thought Peter Woods had a great game, and it showed that progress is going to help us in the long run. They’re still learning, they’re going to get better and better. And for them to make any impact– and then I thought Kahlil (Benson), I thought so much was made about the pass-blocking because he was going up against a great defensive line, but I’ve seen him run-blocking. It’s like you have to set the tone that way, and if they’re not going to stop the run, then we’re going to keep doing it. And so he’ll keep getting better and better. Obviously, hopefully we’re getting Josh (Simmons) back. To have another tackle that can step in and play and play at a high level, you want as many of those guys as you can.”

Mahomes has seen plenty of rookie classes come through Kansas City. That includes Brett Veach’s great 2022 NFL Draft class that helped spark three consecutive Super Bowl appearances and back-to-back victories. He looks as excited and confident in a group of rookies as he ever has.

Chris Jones already has a favorite rookie class

Chris Jones also had some positive things to say about the young players on the defensive side of the ball. He said this was his favorite group of rookies and that they made his life easier with defensive linemen like Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas, along with those young players in the secondary like Mansoor Delane.

“I love my rookies, man,” Jones said. “This is like my favorite group of rookies right here. I love these guys. They’re like sponges, man. They like they want to learn. They want to be successful, and for me, it just makes it easier because with those guys having success, I won’t get his double team this much, so I want those guys to succeed. I want them to continue excelling in their craft, and we’re going to continue to build off of this.”

Jones also commented on a specific rookie.

“Peter Woods got in and dominated the run tonight,” he said.

The truth is that this is only the beginning for a talented rookie class. Those who contributed in Week 1 can keep growing and improving, and those who didn’t contribute as much can also keep pushing, learning, and developing. Delane’s injury is worth monitoring, but the production he and his fellow rookies delivered set the tone for what Kansas City hopes is a long and productive season. This team has a bright future ahead of it, not just in the 2026 NFL season but beyond.