KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Patrick Mahomes has 6.5 million Instagram followers. And a week after he posted video of his first post-surgery throwing session, the Chiefs have about 6.5 million more reasons to hope he’s ready by Week 1.
General manager Brett Veach was especially encouraged by the quarterback’s post, exactly 100 days after the quarterback’s Dec. 15 knee surgery.
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Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) arrives prior to the game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images | Amy Kontras-Imagn Images
“I'm not a doctor,” Veach told Peter Schrager this week on the Schrager Hour, noting he’s not speaking for VP of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder. “But I know he'll be ahead of schedule, and I know what's going to happen in training camp. He's going to be begging Coach to play in that first preseason game.”
If Reid gives Mahomes that preseason green light, the quarterback almost certainly would be on track to reach his stated goal of starting Week 1. And if that happens, Mahomes will be just behind the stunning timeline of Adrian Peterson, who tore his ACL on Christmas Eve in 2011 and returned in time for the 2012 opener.
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Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs the ball against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Triumphant return
Peterson didn’t simply return; he registered 2,097 rushing yards to run away with 2012 NFL MVP honors. Both Peterson and Mahomes grew up in East Texas. Now, 14 years later, Veach is looking forward to seeing when his quarterback gets that green light. Specifically, Veach is looking forward to one specific aspect.
“It will be cool, though, once we get to the regular season,” Veach told Schrager this week. “And hopefully there are no setbacks. Again, I'm not trying to make predictions, what have you, because I'm not a doctor, and it was a big injury. But it'll be exciting to just see him, that first scramble, that first time he takes a hit, to see him get up, dust it off, and get right back to work.”
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Sep 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball against the Houston Texans in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Matthew Stafford got right back to work after missing all of training camp and all three preseason games last year. The Rams’ quarterback sat out with an aggravated disc in his back but returned in time for the Week 1 opener and went on to win the MVP. That has to be inspiring for Mahomes.
The Chiefs are scheduled to visit Stafford and the Rams this fall.
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Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, second from right, stands on the sideline Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Mahomes is also inspiring others, including his head coach. Reid underwent his own knee procedure this offseason, forcing him to miss the scouting combine in late February. Reid still had his trademark humor this week.
“If we both do it right, we’ll have one good guy,” Reid told Jesse Newell from The Athletic on Tuesday morning. “Because it’s his left knee and my right knee. Listen, he’s got to play in a game. All I have to be able to do is stand up on the sideline. So, mine’s a little bit easier than what his is. But he’s done a great job of attacking it. I’ve been right there, been able to watch him do it.”
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Mar 11, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes watches game play between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the BYU Cougars at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images
If he were a gambling man
Reid added that every player is different, and there’s no one that makes an ACL-return schedule like the league office makes a game schedule. But he was clear where he’s putting his money.
“I will tell you, though, I would never bet against him. He’s always going to put in the time and effort and always push it, but within reason, so he doesn’t take steps back. So far, it’s all been positive.”