KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs is determined to be prepared for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Following surgery in mid-December to fix two torn ligaments in his left knee, Mahomes stated during a Zoom call on Thursday that his rehabilitation is progressing well and «hitting all the checkpoints» necessary for his return to summer workouts and possibly training camp later this fall.
«I aim to be ready for Week 1. The doctors informed me I could,» Mahomes mentioned, «but predicting the process is impossible. That’s the objective, to play in Week 1 unrestricted. You want to be healthy on the field and give us the best chance of winning. I hope to participate in OTAs and training camp.»
Mahomes suffered tears to both the ACL and LCL on December 14 during the final moments of a loss to the Chargers, a defeat that effectively knocked the Chiefs out of playoff contention. Initially, Mahomes believed his injury wasn’t severe and even requested a brace to finish the game.
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It wasn’t until after an MRI confirmed the torn ligaments that Mahomes realized his season had come to an end. The repair was performed about a day later by renowned orthopedist Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas.
The expected recovery period for this type of injury is around nine months, but can vary based on several factors. Next season’s kickoff is set for September 10, 2026, with the Chiefs likely playing their opening game shortly thereafter.
«I’ve learned through this experience that not every day will feel fantastic,» Mahomes explained. «You need someone trustworthy who will maximize your potential while keeping you safe.»
Most of Mahomes’ rehabilitation is occurring in Kansas City under the guidance of Chiefs physical therapist Julie Frymyer, who has aided in his recovery from less severe injuries in the past. He will also go to Dallas for check-ups with Dr. Cooper and his team.
«According to my doctor, while I had the ACL and LCL issues, everything else was intact,» Mahomes remarked in his first comments post-injury. «As serious as it was, the cleanliness of the injury was a positive. There are many little things around the knee that could have gone wrong. Now, it’s about rehabbing to ensure both the ACL and LCL heal properly.»
Though, this task has its own challenges. Mahomes has been given specific goals by Frymyer and Cooper, yet he is eager to push himself to the limit, fully cognizant of the risks associated with rushing back.
«Knowing me, I’m going to push it to the exact limit every single day,» Mahomes stated. «There are areas I can’t yet access. Although I want to, I’m not allowed for good reasons. It starts with Dr. Cooper and his team, followed by Julie and the training room.»
When Mahomes returns, the Chiefs may look substantially different. They have significant roster decisions to make and could appoint a new offensive coordinator if Matt Nagy secures one of the head coaching positions he’s interviewing for.
Indeed, a change could benefit an offense that struggled last season, contributing to Kansas City’s halted nine-year streak of AFC West titles and first playoff absence in a decade.
«I trust Coach [Andy] Reid, and if Coach Nagy lands a head coaching role, he’ll surely devise a sound plan for the next steps,» Mahomes expressed. «I hope for someone passionate about football, who is all-in on winning, and who introduces fresh ideas daily. That’s crucial for greatness in this league.»
