The Kansas City Chiefs are exactly 70 days away from the first Monday Night Football showdown of the season, a date that has already sparked excitement among fans and analysts alike.
At the center of that buzz is the No. 70 jersey, currently sported by rookie tryout signee Kahlil Benson as he battles for the starting right‑tackle spot.
The number carries a lineage of its own, most notably through former defensive lineman Mike DeVito, who wore it from 2013 to 2015 and left a measurable imprint on the team's front.
DeVito’s tenure was marked by durability and impact; he started 13 games in 2013, helping the Chiefs clinch a playoff berth, and added a career‑high six tackles for loss the following year before an Achilles injury cut his run short.
His legacy is more than statistics; it is a reminder of what the jersey can symbolize when paired with the right performance.
A Number That Means More Than Digits
That performance was on full display in a Week 7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders last season, when the Chiefs' defense surrendered just 70 passing yards and shut out the Raiders 31‑0.
The Raiders went 0‑for‑7 on third down and missed their only fourth‑down attempt, a testament to the pressure generated by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, which thrives when the run defense forces long third‑down situations.
For Benson, emulating that level of impact means more than just wearing the number; it requires mastering the nuances of the position and contributing to a defense that can dominate when the moment calls.
Coach Andy Reid and veteran leaders like Marcus Spears and Derrick Johnson have all spoken about the intangible value of the jersey, using it as a rallying point for younger players eager to etch their own stories into the franchise’s fabric.
As the countdown continues, the No. 70 jersey stands as a bridge between past achievements and future aspirations, a symbol that the Chiefs are poised to build on a defensive identity that can turn ordinary games into memorable triumphs.