Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes falls in NFL all-time quarterback ranking news.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Kansas City Chiefs have sent some mixed signals about the timeline for Patrick Mahomes to return from his season-ending knee injury, but one insider believes no one has the answer just yet.
Mahomes has been progressing through rehab for his torn ACL and LCL, a complicated injury that does not have a clear timeline for his return. While both Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid have been optimistic on his ability to start the season, team owner Clark Hunt has been more measured in his prediction of when Mahomes will take the field.
Patrick Mahomes Has No Clear Injury Comparison
Reporter Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star believes the truth is somewhere in the middle.
In an update on the biggest questions facing the team this offseason, Sweeney wrote that it’s difficult to find an injury comparable to Mahomes. While a traditional ACL tear takes anywhere from nine to 12 months, Mahomes also tore another ligament.
“It’s difficult to answer because all we have to go off of are less-serious injuries,” Sweeney wrote. In 2019, Mahomes returned from a dislocated knee after two absences. During the 2020 playoffs, he guided the Chiefs to the Super Bowl with turf toe, then won it in 2022 with a high-ankle sprain.”
Sweeney noted that the Chiefs brought in a big insurance policy, trading for longtime starter Justin Fields. But he said the team’s optimism around Mahomes may ultimately win out.
“If he can’t go to start the season, the Chiefs have said they feel good about Justin Fields — but I’m with Reid. Answer: I wouldn’t bet against Mahomes, either,” Sweeney wrote.
Hunt has not been quite as positive as Reid, however. The Chiefs owner told Front Office Sports last week that he believes the Chiefs won’t be scheduled in the season opener against Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks due to the uncertainty around Mahomes.
“I don’t think that’s on the table anymore for us to be in Seattle [for the opener],” Hunt said. “From a league standpoint, I think there would be some concern whether our quarterback will be ready to go. My guess is the league won’t want to take that risk.”
Chiefs Could Have Another Role for Justin Fields
The Chiefs appear confident that Fields could start the season if Mahomes isn’t ready, but some NFL insiders believe they could have plans for him beyond that. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes that Fields could see playing time throughout the season, coming in for some special packages with Mahomes on the bench.
“Maybe Justin Fields is gonna be a guy who has a package just to keep Patrick Mahomes from doing too much,” Florio said. “The possibilities are endless.”
ESPN’s Mina Kimes shared a similar prediction, noting that Fields could unlock a play that the Chiefs have been avoiding with Mahomes under center.
“They could also install some packages for Fields,” Kimes said. “They haven’t been able to use quarterback sneaks with Patrick Mahomes. Well, now you’ve got a quarterback who you can run sneaks with.”