Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on after the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024
Patrick Mahomes is back on the field, but questions remain about when he will return to game action. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shared a video of himself throwing during a recent workout, marking a key step in his recovery from knee surgery. While the clip shows progress, it also comes as NFL insiders and fans continue to debate his timeline.
Here’s what we know about Mahomes’ recovery, what experts are saying, and how fans are reacting.
Patrick Mahomes Recovery Update Shows Progress but Raises Questions
The Chiefs and Mahomes posted a video of him throwing roughly three months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL. In the clip, he wears a compression sleeve on his left leg and moves through a controlled throwing motion.
The video shows Mahomes dropping back, planting on his right foot, and delivering a pass without visible hesitation. While the workout is light, it represents a checkpoint in his recovery.
Mahomes’ injury occurred in December and ended his season. The timing places him early in what is typically a lengthy rehabilitation process. The NFL’s 2026 season is set to begin on Sept. 9, but it remains unclear if Mahomes will be ready for Week 1.
NFL Insider Details ‘Uncertainty’ Around Mahomes Timeline
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport addressed Mahomes’ recovery on “The Insiders,” noting that while the video is encouraging, the situation remains uncertain.
“This is good news,” Rapoport said. “That said, there is still some uncertainty. There’s a lot of uncertainty because he is just three months out from a nine-to-twelve-month recovery.”
Rapoport also highlighted the complexity of the injury.
“It is not just an ACL tear. It is also an LCL tear,” he said. “It also is the kind of thing that can take a little bit longer. The knee can be a little stiff.”
He pointed to similar injuries, noting that quarterback Carson Wentz missed time after suffering both ACL and LCL damage. That comparison adds context to Mahomes’ timeline.
Rapoport also explained how the uncertainty influenced the Chiefs’ offseason decisions.
“If Patrick Mahomes is not ready in September, he is just not going to be on the field,” Rapoport said. “That is why they traded for Justin Fields.”
Chiefs Kingdom Reacts to Patrick Mahomes Return Concerns
Ian Rapoport
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: To see Patrick Mahomes on the field was a great sign. But the #Chiefs QB has a ways to go.
Mahomes’ video sparked strong reactions from fans, many of whom expressed confidence in his recovery despite the uncertainty.
One fan wrote, “Good to hear Mahomes is back on the field! Still some work ahead, but progress is promising.”
Others pushed back on the cautious outlook.
“Shut up Ian. He is going to start week 1,” another fan commented. “Mahomes is built different.”
Some fans pointed to his performance level regardless of health.
“Mahomes at 50% still breaks the league,” one user added.
Chiefs Medical Staff Previously Outlined QB1’s Recovery Timeline
Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder previously provided insight into Mahomes’ recovery process days after his surgery.
“Ballpark on this thing is nine months,” Burkholder said. “It could be a month or two less, month or two more.”
He also explained why surgery was performed quickly.
“The reason he wanted to operate on him quickly… is because the LCL we wanted to reattach,” Burkholder said.
Burkholder confirmed that Mahomes avoided additional complications.
“He had no artery damage, no nerve damage, no joint surface damage, no meniscal damage,” he said.
Mahomes began rehab shortly after surgery and has maintained a consistent routine.
“He’s so regimented at what he does,” Burkholder said. “They don’t heal up any faster, they just get back to performance faster.”