Patrick Mahomes appears ready to make his highly anticipated return to the field, and one of his most famous former Kansas City Chiefs teammates certainly noticed.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced this week that Mahomes is expected to start against the Denver Broncos in Kansas City’s 2026 NFL season opener on Monday night, barring a setback. The news represents a major milestone for Mahomes after the three-time Super Bowl MVP suffered torn ACL and LCL ligaments in his left knee last December.
Mahomes’ comeback has generated plenty of attention around the NFL, but former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill offered a particularly notable reaction Wednesday.
“Different man 🥹,” Hill wrote on X.
Just two words, but they carry plenty of history.
Tyreek Hill Reacts to Patrick Mahomes’ Comeback
Hill spent four seasons playing with Mahomes after the quarterback became Kansas City’s starter in 2018.
Together, they became one of the NFL’s most dangerous quarterback-receiver combinations and helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV. Hill eventually left Kansas City in a blockbuster 2022 trade with the Miami Dolphins.
Years later, there is clearly still respect between the former teammates.
Mahomes’ recovery has been one of the biggest NFL storylines entering the season. He suffered the knee injury against the Los Angeles Chargers late last season and underwent surgery shortly afterward.
Reid provided perhaps the most encouraging update yet this week.
“There’s a very good chance that Patrick will go ahead and start unless something were to come up here in the next couple days,” Reid said Tuesday. “Most likely he’ll be the guy that’s out there.”
Andy Reid Says Patrick Mahomes Looks Normal
Reid offered an even more encouraging assessment of Mahomes’ recovery during an appearance on “The NFL Report.”
The Chiefs coach said Mahomes hasn’t missed a day and that, outside of wearing a knee brace, everything about the quarterback has looked normal. Reid specifically pointed to Mahomes’ movement and throwing ability as positive signs.
That’s remarkable considering Mahomes suffered the injury only nine months ago.
The 30-year-old finished last season with 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions before the injury ended his year. Kansas City ultimately finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since Mahomes became its starting quarterback.
Now Mahomes is preparing to begin another comeback story on “Monday Night Football.”
And Hill, who witnessed firsthand what Mahomes can do at his best, apparently sees something different in his former quarterback this time around.
