Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Getty
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs do not yet know where quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be with regards to his rehabilitation come the new season in September, but the franchise is allowing itself to hope.
That was the primary talking point during the latest update on Mahomes’ health following his Week 15 ACL/LCL tear against the Los Angeles Chargers in December, which Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated delivered to the “Rich Eisen Show” during a Tuesday, March 10 interview.
“I think they certainly are very, very hopeful. I hesitate to use [the word] ‘expecting,’ I don’t wanna put a timeline on a player without getting his OK,” Breer said. “But I think they’re very, very hopeful that he’ll be good to go and close to being himself by Week 1. So that’s good news.”
Chiefs Lost Backup QB Gardner Minshew on Opening Day of NFL Free Agency
Chiefs QB Gardner Minshew
GettyFormer Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew.
Mahomes’ return is crucial to the Chiefs’ chances of getting back on track following their first losing season since a 2-14 campaign in 2012, which was also the last year before Andy Reid took over as head coach.
Gardner Minshew, who served as the backup QB for the Chiefs last season, left for an $8 million deal from the Arizona Cardinals on the first day of free agency, which leaves Kansas City in a precarious place at the position if Mahomes is not healthy come Week 1.
There remain some quality veteran quarterback options on the market, but players like Kirk Cousins and Joe Flacco are liable to hold out for better chances to win starting jobs elsewhere.
The Chiefs could consider trading for a player like Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts, who has permission to seek a deal, or Jalen Milroe of the Seattle Seahawks, who may not be available even despite spending his rookie campaign as QB3 on what ended up being a Super Bowl-winning roster in 2025.
Chiefs Have Signed 3 Offensive Players in Last 2 Days
GettyTight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
As for the moves Kansas City has made since the free agency negotiating period opened on Monday, the team has returned two of Mahomes’ pass-catchers from last season and added an explosive weapon to the backfield after putting up historically poor numbers in that regard in 2025.
The Chiefs signed tight end Travis Kelce to a one-year contract worth $12 million and also extended wide receiver Tyquan Thornton on a two-year, $11 million deal that could leap to $14 million with incentives.
“Thornton, 25, was one of the Chiefs’ best receivers last season, especially early when the team was without Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice,” Nate Taylor of ESPN wrote. “In 14 games, he produced a career-high 438 receiving yards on 19 receptions, including three touchdowns. By retaining Thornton as a deep threat, the Chiefs should be able to offer him more snaps and more opportunities.”
Kansas City’s splash move of free agency, at least to this point, was the signing of Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year contract worth $43 million in total.