Patrick Mahomes is in a race against the clock to be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee during the fourth quarter of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in mid-December, ending his season with three games remaining.
Mahomes finished the season throwing for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He underwent surgery the following day in Dallas, and Chiefs vice president of sports medicine Rick Burkholder estimated a recovery timeline of roughly nine months. That timeline places his potential return around Week 1.
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As Mahomes continues his rehab, head coach Andy Reid offered an encouraging update on Saturday.
“I know he’s doing a lot of stuff right now. He is throwing the ball,” Reid said. “He does it on his own. Not getting in any trouble here” (via Matt Foster of KSHB 41 News).
Reid’s comments follow a series of positive developments during the offseason. Mahomes was off crutches earlier than expected and shared a video of himself dropping back and throwing just three months after surgery. Those milestones have fueled optimism in Kansas City, with indications that he may be progressing ahead of schedule.
The Chiefs have not set a definitive timeline for his return. The final phase of recovery will focus on rebuilding strength and confidence in the knee, a process that cannot be rushed regardless of the early progress he is making.
To be cleared for Week 1, Mahomes will need to demonstrate full football mobility, including cutting, scrambling, and absorbing contact, while also satisfying the Chiefs’ medical staff that his knee can handle the demands of a full NFL season.
