Patrick Mahomes stays on track for Week 1
Patrick Mahomes remains on track to return for Week 1 against Denver after rehabilitating his left knee since December. He practiced throughout training camp without missing first-team repetitions or requiring scheduled days off.
Kansas City opens the regular season against Denver at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14. Mahomes still needs final approval from Andy Reid and the medical staff before his starting status is confirmed.
Patrick Mahomes began rehab in December
Mahomes sustained ACL and LCL tears in his left knee during Kansas City’s Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in December 2025. The injury ended his season after 14 starts.
Kansas City confirmed Mahomes underwent surgery in Dallas on December 15 to repair his ACL. The loss, combined with other Week 15 results, also officially eliminated the Chiefs from postseason contention.
Patrick Mahomes cleared training camp hurdle
Mahomes reached a major recovery milestone on July 24 when Andy Reid said the quarterback had been fully cleared for training camp. The clearance allowed him to participate in every practice period without formal restrictions.
Mahomes said practicing at the start of camp had always been the goal. Kansas City continued to monitor his knee through daily work while he built steadily toward regular-season readiness overall.
Patrick Mahomes returned to team drills
Mahomes returned to 11-on-11 drills on July 29, his first such work since December. Reid said the quarterback completed everything scheduled and showed improved leg strength and foot movement.
The Chiefs limited Mahomes to three snaps in that 11-on-11 period, while he also worked in 7-on-7 drills. The controlled workload marked another step in his recovery.
Patrick Mahomes skipped the preseason
Kansas City kept Mahomes out of all three preseason games against the Rams, Buccaneers, and Seahawks. He continued taking first-team practice repetitions throughout that stretch without showing a reported setback.
Reid said on August 25 that Mahomes had not needed a day off during training camp. The Chiefs, therefore, finished preseason without using him in game action while preserving his regular practice workload.
Patrick Mahomes keeps Week 1 as target
Mahomes told reporters that Week 1 had always been the plan for his return. He remained confident about meeting that target while acknowledging Reid and the medical staff would make the final decision.
A Field Level Media report on his status noted that at least 13 practices remained before the opener. Kansas City continued evaluating his movement, workload, and response before deciding whether he would start against Denver in Week 1.
Patrick Mahomes gets a Monday night opener
Denver visits Kansas City on September 14 for the Monday Night Football season premiere. The game begins at 8:15 p.m. ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and airs on ESPN and ABC.
The matchup brings the reigning AFC West champion Broncos to Kansas City. Denver ended the Chiefs’ nine-season run of division titles in 2025 and finished the regular season with a 14-3 record.
Patrick Mahomes follows a difficult 2025
Kansas City finished 6-11 in 2025, its first losing season under Andy Reid since he became head coach in 2013. The Chiefs also missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Mahomes played 14 games before his season ended, completing 315 of 502 passes for 3,587 yards. He threw 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while posting an 89.6 passer rating overall in 2025.
Patrick Mahomes added career high rushing
Mahomes rushed for a career-high 422 yards and five touchdowns on 64 attempts in 2025. Kansas City named him team MVP after he produced 4,009 total yards and 27 combined touchdowns.
Those numbers came during a season that ended the franchise’s nine-year AFC West title streak. Kansas City had reached seven consecutive AFC Championship Games from the 2018 season through 2024.
Patrick Mahomes signs historic new deal
Mahomes signed a major contract revision in June 2026 that added 2 years and $239.05 million in new money. NFL reporting placed the reworked agreement at a total value of $504.75 million.
The deal can reach $522.25 million through incentives and escalators. Its average annual value beginning in 2027 is $64 million, setting a new league record under the revised contract structure for Mahomes.
Fun fact: Mahomes once admitted he ate ketchup sandwiches as a child, meaning plain bread and ketchup somehow made the future NFL star’s menu.
Patrick Mahomes returns to changed offense
Kansas City enters 2026 with a changed offensive roster around Mahomes. The initial 53-player group includes running back Ken Walker, wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, and tight end Travis Kelce.
The roster also includes offensive linemen Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Jaylon Moore. Kansas City kept 10 offensive linemen when it announced its initial 53-player roster on August 30.
Patrick Mahomes faces familiar Denver test
The Chiefs open with a divisional opponent that beat them twice during the 2025 regular season. Denver won 22-19 in November and 20-13 on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium.
Denver enters Week 1 as the defending AFC West champion after finishing 14-3. Kansas City begins the new season after going 6-11 and missing the postseason in 2025.
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Patrick Mahomes awaits final approval
Mahomes has successfully returned from physical setbacks during his career, but this recovery required months of rehabilitation following his December surgery. Kansas City has emphasized progress in practice rather than publicly committing to Week 1.
As of August 31, Mahomes remains on track for September 14. Final clearance still depends on Reid and the medical staff, making his continued full practice participation the strongest current indicator.
With Brittany Mahomes drawing attention for her latest fitness post, Kelly Stafford’s reaction added another layer of interest. Curious what caught fans’ attention? Explore the post and the responses it sparked.
Would you start Patrick Mahomes in Week 1 after his long knee recovery, or give him more time before facing Denver? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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