Chiefs’ No. 70 Jersey: From DeVito to Rookie Benson Ahead of Season Opener
The Kansas City Chiefs are counting down the days to their season‑opening showdown with the Denver Broncos, exactly 70 days away. The number 70 has become a talking point, currently perched on the shoulders of rookie Kahlil Benson, who earned the jersey after an impressive minicamp tryout. The jersey carries a storied past, most recently worn by defensive lineman Mike DeVito, whose three‑year stint with Kansas City was marked by flashes of brilliance and a persistent Achilles injury. DeVito’s contributions helped the Chiefs secure a playoff berth in 2013, when he started 13 games and made a notable impact on the line. In 2015, he started five games and posted a career‑high six tackles for loss, underscoring the potential the number held for future wearers. That legacy was further cemented when the Chiefs’ defense delivered a dominant performance against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7 of last season, limiting the Raiders to just 70 passing yards in a 31‑0 shutout. That game, orchestrated by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, showcased how the unit can explode when the run defense forces third‑and‑long situations. While the Raiders struggled, going 0‑for‑7 on third down and missing their only fourth‑down attempt, the Chiefs’ defense proved that dominance is possible when the pressure mounts. Now, with Benson aiming to carve his own path, the team looks to blend youthful energy with the proven resilience that defined DeVito’s era. The upcoming season will test whether Benson can translate his early promise into consistent production, and whether the Chiefs can replicate the defensive firepower that once stifled the Raiders. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, knowing that the 70‑day countdown is more than a calendar marker — it’s a narrative thread linking past legends to the next generation.
