There are many questions about whether or not Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is going to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Mahomes tore his ACL in a game in December last season against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kansas City finished with a 6-11 record last season. They missed the playoffs. The Chiefs lost the final three games of the season without Mahomes.
Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
If Mahomes is not ready to play in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, Justin Fields would most likely be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs. He is probably going to try and be ready to play against Denver. During the 2025 NFL season, Mahomes completed 62.7% of his passes for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 422 yards on 64 carries and five touchdowns, along with averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Mahomes is already 30 years old and needs to be careful about his knee injury.
NFL Analyst Reveals When Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Will Return
Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Mike Jones of the Athletic wrote about many different headlines as NFL mandatory minicamps begin this week. One of the biggest questions is what is Mahomes’s progress in his ACL rehab and whether or not he is going to be ready for the first week of the 2026 NFL season. Jones said,
“The Chiefs saw their streak of nine consecutive AFC West titles and playoff appearances come to an end last season as Patrick Mahomes missed the final three regular-season games with a torn ACL and LCL. After an aggressive offseason (including signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III away from the Seahawks), the Chiefs hope to bounce back quickly, but much of their success will hinge on Mahomes’ return.
Mahomes has his sights set on a Week 1 return, and despite the bulky brace on his left leg, he has reportedly looked sharp while going through seven-on-seven drills during voluntary workouts. Thus far, he has been held out of 11-on-11 work. The Chiefs acquired Justin Fields as an insurance policy, but they’ll also need playmakers to emerge this offseason. Great uncertainty hangs over Rashee Rice because of his legal issues. Xavier Worthy returns, as does Tyquan Thornton, who contributed with an average of 23.1 yards per reception last season, but the Chiefs could look to add another veteran pass catcher this summer.”
It is better for Mahomes to miss the first couple of games of the season than rushing him back for the first game of the season and he reinjuries that knee. He is the franchise for this Chiefs organization. Kansas City thinks they can be a serious Super Bowl contender this season, but many people know that they are a fringe playoff team also.
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