During a recent press conference ahead of the start of this stage of the NFL calendar, Mahomes made his stance on the situation clear. The goal, in order to avoid injuries like the one he suffered toward the end of the 2025 season, is to take better care of himself and look for more alternatives in his teammates.

“I plan to be able to to do everything I did before. I’ve been moving around and doing that stuff but, I’m obviously try to take care of myself a little bit better,” he said.

If needed, he now has an elite running back in the offense: “I think I ran little bit too much last season in general, so I’ll try to get better with that. Then if all else fails, I’ll just hand it off to K9 (Kenneth Walker) and let him go to work.”

A major setback for Mahomes

On December 14, 2025, Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury occurred in the final minutes of the fourth quarter when his knee buckled awkwardy as he was brought down by defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand while trying to scramble out of the pocket.

Mahomes underwent successful surgery the following day to repair both his ACL and LCL, ending a tough 2025 campaign that also saw the Chiefs miss the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Mahomes wants to protect his knee

Recovering from an injury can have different challenges for an NFL player. Mahomes does not want to leave anything to chance, and besides seeking advice from a player of Tom Brady’s caliber, he also has not ruled out the possibility of continuing to wear his knee brace to avoid setbacks.

“I’m going start off with it just because I’ve worn it before and I feel comfortable with it. So that that’s kind of where we will start, but it’s not like I’ve been told I have to wear it or how long I have to wear it,” he said via NBCSports.com.

“It’s just going to be my comfortability how I feel. But I will start with it on just because I feel like I can still move and be myself with it. I played with it in college and then we’ll just see where we go from there.”

What to expect from Kenneth Walker III

Coming off a dominant 2025 campaign with the Seattle Seahawks where he rushed for 1,027 yards and 5 touchdowns on 221 carries (4.6 YPC) while adding 31 receptions for 282 yards—and capping it all off as the Super Bowl LX MVP—expectations for Kenneth Walker III in Kansas City are sky-high.

After signing a three-year contract with the Chiefs in March 2026, the explosive back is set to step immediately into the RB1 role. With his elite contact balance and big-play ability, Walker III will serve as the undisputed focal point of the rushing attack, leaving clear depth and complementary roles for Emari Demercado and rookie Brashard Smith behind him.

What’s next for the Chiefs?

The 2026 NFL training camps are slowly starting to take shape, and while the Chiefs remained cautious regarding Mahomes’ situation, they are now expecting him to be there on July 28. The location where Andy Reid will watch his players return to action will be Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports, “Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says that he’s talked to Tom Brady, Tyrann Mathieu, and Zach Ertz about his knee injury recovery, getting some advice from players who have suffered similar injuries.”

That is a very huge sign of maturity by Patrick Mahomes. Brady, not so long ago, was Mahomes’ nemesis in the league. Now, Mahomes is seeking a retired Brady for advice. Also, speaking to a former teammate like Tyrann Mathieu and a respected veteran like Zach Ertz speaks to Mahomes’ will to get back to his best.

Mahomes recovery timetable

Now that Andy Reid revealed Patrick Mahomes’ status is a good one, the timetable is very optimistic. Mahomes suffered his ACL tear the last December, so the 9-month period recovery should be up by Week 1. Hence, he is right on track.

Now, Mahomes is not looking at just recovering, but getting back to his best shape. If Mahomes manages to do so, he could really be rewriting history. Mahomes is a Chiefs legend already, and he could be an even bigger one if he delivers a ring after a knee injury.

Who can replace Mahomes if necessary?

If Patrick Mahomes suffers a setback, which would be unfortunate, the Chiefs would have Justin Fields stepping up as the quarterback. Fields is very mobile, but the Chiefs would suffer a lot in terms of arm-strength and accuracy.

Reid said, “Pat (Mahomes) is doing great with his [recovery]. He’s cleared to practice in all the different periods we have in camp… He’s been cleared to participate in full.”

Hence, after a blown knee, Mahomes is scheduled to take the field in Week 1 and that’s absolutely and positively great for the Chiefs. Mahomes is clearly a difference-maker and is the best quarterback in the 2020s decade.

Reid gave other injury updates on the Chiefs

“Omarr Norman-Lott will most likely start on the PUP list, but is making progress,” Reid said about the defensive tackle. Hence, the defense will have to wait a bit to get their defensive line fully healthy.

As for Rashee Rice, Reid said, “Rashee Rice, with his knee debridement, is doing great… He is cleared to go.” So in that case, Mahomes and his best weapon are ready to roll.

Mahomes revamps this offense in massive ways

An elite QB makes a good offense, a great one. A great offense into a top-tier unit and that’s what Mahomes does. He elevates the Chiefs offense in many ways. This is how the Chiefs starting offense looks right now:

• QB – Patrick Mahomes
• RB – Kenneth Walker III
• WR – Rashee Rice
• WR – Xavier Worthy
• TE – Travis Kelce

“The assumption, knowing him as a person, is that he’ll be champing at the bit to get on the field, as he was in the spring. And while that enthusiasm is appreciated, it’s also a reminder to exhibit some caution,” the reporter said via SI.com.

“There’s an expectation among Chiefs people that Mahomes will be fully cleared this week, and also the knowledge that when they tell him he can go, he will really go,” Breer also added. “So the plan is to be smart with it, and make sure everyone is doing what’s going to put him in the best position to be at his best from September through February, not just ready for Week 1.”

Although Mahomes‘ situation appears promising ahead of the start of the upcoming season, Chiefs Kingdom does not want to skip any steps and wants to handle his recovery in the best way possible.

What injury did Patrick Mahomes suffer?

During the 2025 NFL season, Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending injury on December 14, 2025, in a Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Late in the fourth quarter while trying to extend a play, Mahomes planted his left foot to throw the ball away just as Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand brought him down.

His left leg twisted awkwardly under contact, causing him to tear both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). He underwent successful repair surgery in Dallas shortly after the game.

The Chiefs’ season debut

The Kansas City Chiefs will make their official debut in the 2026 NFL season with a high-profile Monday Night Football matchup. The game will take place on September 14 at Arrowhead Stadium, where they will face the Denver Broncos.

Chiefs’ backup plans at quarterback behind Mahomes

Leaving nothing to chance, Andy Reid’s Chiefs decided to significantly strengthen their quarterback room depth chart amid uncertainty surrounding Mahomes’ availability. They added Justin Fields during the offseason, selected LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in the latest draft, and already had the experience of Chris Oladokun on the roster.

Mahomes has already delivered everything the Chiefs could have hoped for when they selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, he has transformed the franchise into a perennial contender and helped bring three Super Bowl championships back to Kansas City.

According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the latest agreement is unlike anything the NFL has seen before. “Record deal: The Chiefs are adding two years to Patrick Mahomes’ contract, tying him to Kansas City through the 2033 season at a value of $504.75 million, making it the first NFL deal valued at over a half-billion dollars.”

How much money will Patrick Mahomes earn with Kansas City Chiefs?

Patrick Mahomes will earn $64 million per year after his new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Schefter explained the record numbers. “Mahomes can make up to $522.25 million through incentives and escalators. Beginning in 2027, when the new money begins, the deal averages $64 million per year, setting an NFL record for average annual value.”

The journey to this historic agreement began with one of the greatest bargains in modern NFL history. Mahomes entered the league in 2017 on a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $16.4 million.

While standard for a first-round quarterback, the deal quickly became one of the NFL’s best values as Mahomes developed into a superstar and led the Chiefs to multiple championships.

In 2020, Kansas City rewarded him with an amazing 10-year, $450 million extension. Even though the deal shattered records at the time, many analysts viewed it as team-friendly because it provided long-term flexibility and helped the Chiefs manage the salary cap while continuing to build a championship roster around their franchise quarterback.

Patrick Mahomes’ contract compared to other NFL QB’s

Now, the Chiefs have adjusted that agreement once again to better reflect the modern quarterback market. The NFL’s financial landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with Dak Prescott reaching the $60 million-per-year mark and other elite quarterbacks such as Joe Burrow and Josh Allen approaching or exceeding $55 million annually.

By revising Mahomes’ contract, the Chiefs ensure their most important player remains compensated in line with the league’s top quarterbacks while maintaining a partnership that has already produced one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties.

“I didn’t do much recruiting; I’ll leave that to (General Manager Brett) Veach and the guys,“ Mahomes said during the recent OTAs. “I think we recruit ourselves just by who we are.

“I like having veterans around and guys like that, and at that tournament, they’re the only guys that can get off work that week. There was some good football players there, but I didn’t do any recruiting in that standpoint, I think I’ll leave that to Veach and the guys.”

When Mahomes refers to a “veteran,” he might be talking about Cam Jordan, who remains a free agent. His interaction with the QB during the ’15 and the Mahomies Vegas Golf Classic fueled speculation about a potential move to Chiefs Kingdom.

Will Jordan arrive in Kansas City?

The Kansas City Chiefs are heavily linked to pass rusher Cameron Jordan, a potential move made highly plausible by his strong connection to Steve Spagnuolo from their 2012 stint with the New Orleans Saints. Despite being 36, Jordan proved he still has plenty of gas in the tank by recording 10.5 sacks last season, making him an ideal target for a Chiefs defense that urgently needs to reinforce its edge-rushing depth.

Behind George Karlaftis, Kansas City relies heavily on unproven depth like Ashton Gillotte and rookie R Mason Thomas, a vulnerability that became more glaring after losing key secondary players.

With the Chiefs recently restructuring contracts to clear over $13 million in cap space, adding an elite, ring-chasing veteran who already understands Spagnuolo’s complex defensive scheme makes perfect sense for both sides.

Mahomes aims to be 100% for Week 1

Even after suffering a devastating torn ACL and LCL against the Chargers last season, Patrick Mahomes is already out there moving around at OTAs, fully driven to hit Week 1 at 100%. Naturally, Brett Veach is keeping a close eye on his franchise QB’s progress, but the energy around the facility is incredibly high as Mahomes addresses next step in recovery. He’s beating the usual timeline, looking remarkably fluid and focused on being completely ready for the opener.

Mahomes spoke on having Bieniemy back and said, “It’s just a standard that you have to practice with, and you have to play with, and he’s gonna hold you to that standard no matter who you are… he has brought in a lot of concepts and a lot of things that I’ve really liked that we’ve added in now.”

Mahomes also addressed the next step in his recovery, but the fact is he sounds like he is ready to go. Bieniemy could become one of the most underrated moves in the offseason if he can turn this offense around.

Bieniemy has a keen eye for detail

Mahomes stated the fact that Bieniemy came back with new concepts. Bieniemy is relentless and loves to try new things. In fact, he likes to go and spend time with all the units on offense. Mahomes loves that about the OC.

Bieniemy has a catch phrase, even Bears’ head coach Ben Johnson quoted him in February, saying “the standard is the standard.” Newly-arrived Kenneth Walker III also spoke on Bieniemy saying, “He’s got high standards, and that’s good if you wanna be better.”

Mahomes was better when Bieniemy was on the roster

Mahomes is an all-time great quarterback. However, he’s hit a bit of a slump in recent years. When Bieniemy was on the Chiefs during Mahomes early years, he thrived in ways the NFL hasn’t seen before.

Under Bieniemy, Mahomes won two MVPs, led the NFL in touchdowns twice, had two 5,000-yard seasons and led the league in QBR twice. Then, under Matt Nagy, he only got to the 4,000-yard mark once. He never had a full season under 4,000 with Bieniemy.

Per Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports, Mahomes said, “Next step will be getting with team and getting under center. It’s a process, you’ve got to stay apart of it… You have to stay great everyday, if you do that… you get the opportunity to get out there on the field.”

Hence, Mahomes’ mission right now is to be able to fully practice with the rest of the Chiefs roster. Mahomes has been working separately but is on pace to recover way before the original timeline of late September to early October. In fact, there is confidence that he will be able to play in Week 1 for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have a primetime game in Week 1

The NFL seems to believe that Mahomes is actually ahead of schedule and that’s why the Chiefs have a primetime game in Week 1 against divisional rivals Broncos. The Broncos swept the Chiefs last season, so Kansas City is ready to take revenge.

Mahomes didn’t play in the second game against the Broncos. Hence, it was not shocking to see the Broncos won 38-0. Kansas City had Carson Wentz under center that time. The Chiefs hope to have Mahomes in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season and not have to use a backup.

The Chiefs offense need more than just Mahomes

Yes, Mahomes is the one guy that can change the season for good or worse depending on his availability. However, even if he is able to play from Week 1, the fact is that Mahomes needs help from his weapons.

Rashee Rice is in jail right now. Xavier Worthy hasn’t been what he was supposed to be. Travis Kelce is in what can be the last year of his NFL career. There is no real depth to the team’s skill positions right now. Mahomes needs help now more than ever.

The head coach shared his thoughts during a recent Chiefs press conference, and the promising declaration was shared on X by Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. “I like what I’ve seen. He’s working hard. This is good for him. You get him out there throwing; it’s rehab… He’s doing partial practice,” Reid announced.

Reid further elaborated on the collective effort required to get Mahomes back to peak performance without rushing the process. “It’s important. He’s busted his tail to put himself in this position… We’ve got good communication with the doctors. They keep a close eye on him, and we listen to them,“ he stated.

Can the Chiefs survive until Mahomes returns?

The Chiefs absolutely need Mahomes healthy and under center if they want to remain a true championship threat in a highly competitive AFC field. If he can successfully return for the opening weeks of the 2026 season, Kansas City can avoid falling behind in the divisional standings early on.

With former backup Gardner Minshew departing in free agency, the front office had to pivot by trading for Justin Fields. While Fields and backup Chris Oladokun offer unique athletic traits, they simply do not possess the elite throwing power or championship pedigree that Mahomes brings.

Reid is widely regarded as an offensive genius, but winning a Lombardi Trophy without a generational talent like Mahomes remains an incredibly steep hill to climb. Ultimately, the Chiefs’ hopes of a championship run hinge entirely on their franchise quarterback making a full recovery.

After months of uncertainty surrounding his ACL and LCL rehabilitation process, a new report from ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler suggests the superstar quarterback may already be ahead of schedule in his attempt to return for the start of the 2026 NFL season.

“He is ahead of schedule. Sources I have talked to say that he’s been rehabbing like a maniac in Kansas City. Sometimes he spends the offseason, for parts of it, in Texas throwing with his receivers or back home. He’s been in Kansas City for the majority of this time to really dig on the rehab. He’s in there every day six or seven hours getting after it.”

Will Patrick Mahomes be ready for Week 1?

For now, it’s possible. While the Chiefs continue taking a cautious approach with Patrick Mahomes, Fowler’s latest update suggests the process is moving in the right direction as the quarterback progresses into more demanding stages of rehabilitation.

“I’m told the next step is the cutting part. That’s where he’s got to get comfortable. He’s been throwing often for the last month or so, but cutting is a big one. Still looking at Week 1. He’s got to prove it over time. They have to clear him and all that stuff, but his goal has not changed. Week 1 is the goal.”

The cutting phase represents one of the most important checkpoints in Mahomes’ recovery because it directly tests the stability and confidence in the injured knee.

Throwing the football is obviously encouraging, but the ability to move naturally, plant, and change direction remains critical for a quarterback known for extending plays outside the pocket.

A huge moment for the Chiefs

For the Chiefs, having Patrick Mahomes available at the beginning of the season could completely reshape expectations in the AFC. They still possess one of the league’s most dangerous offensive rosters, and a healthy Mahomes would immediately put the franchise back into the Super Bowl conversation despite the challenges of competing in a loaded AFC landscape.

At this point, they appear focused on balancing optimism with patience. But based on Fowler’s report and Mahomes’ relentless rehab commitment, the possibility of seeing the Chiefs star under center in Week 1 suddenly feels far more realistic than many initially expected.

The sight of Mahomes back on the field changes the tone around Kansas City entering the 2026 NFL season. There had been growing concerns that the recovery timeline from multiple ligament injuries in his left knee could extend deep into the regular season, potentially putting Week 1 availability in doubt. Instead, the early OTA footage suggests the recovery process may be moving ahead faster than many expected.

While the Chiefs will undoubtedly remain cautious throughout the summer, Mahomes participating in football activities this early provides legitimate optimism inside the organization and across the fan base. Kansas City’s championship window remains wide open as long as Mahomes is healthy, and his return to throwing drills is already fueling hope that the offense could be close to full strength by the start of the season.

Patrick Mahomes’ recovery could change everything for the Chiefs in 2026

The Chiefs are once again positioning themselves as Super Bowl contenders, and Mahomes’ recovery is the centerpiece of those ambitions. They enter the 2026 season with an offense loaded with playmakers, including Kenneth Walker III, Travis Kelce, and Xavier Worthy.

Kelce’s experience and chemistry with Mahomes remain critical for the offense, while Worthy’s explosiveness adds another deep-threat dimension that defenses must respect. The addition of Kenneth Walker III also gives Kansas City more balance offensively, potentially helping reduce pressure on Mahomes early in the season as he continues regaining full mobility and confidence in the knee.

Another major factor for the Chiefs will be the situation surrounding Rashee Rice. The talented wide receiver continues dealing with legal issues that could impact his availability moving forward. Andy Reid knows that having Rice fully available and focused on football would significantly elevate the offense and provide Mahomes with another elite weapon in the passing game.

For now, though, the biggest takeaway from OTAs is simple: Patrick Mahomes is back on the field, throwing passes, and giving the Chiefs a realistic reason to believe another championship run is possible. After the uncertainty surrounding such serious knee injuries, that alone feels like a massive victory for Kansas City heading into 2026.