Patrick Mahomes Undergoes ACL, LCL Surgery - Chiefs Star Already Eyeing 2026 Return
Patrick Mahomes has never been one to follow the script - and it looks like his recovery from a devastating knee injury might be no different.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar quarterback underwent successful surgery on Monday to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee, injuries he sustained on December 14. While the typical recovery timeline for such procedures can stretch close to a year, early signs suggest Mahomes is already doing everything he can to beat the clock.
And if you know anything about Mahomes, that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
A Fast Start to a Long Road
What’s already raising eyebrows around the league is how quickly Mahomes went under the knife. Most players with ACL injuries wait a few weeks before surgery to allow swelling to go down and improve surgical outcomes.
Mahomes? He didn’t wait.
He went straight into the operating room, setting the tone for what could be an aggressive rehab timeline.
That urgency has NFL insiders buzzing. Adam Schefter noted on his podcast this week that it would be “a surprise” if Mahomes isn’t ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season. That’s a bold statement considering the severity of the injury, but it speaks to the level of confidence people around the league have in Mahomes’ work ethic - and his access to top-tier medical care.
The Calendar and the Comeback
Let’s talk timelines. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Mahomes’ rehab is expected to last around nine months.
That would put his return right around mid-September 2026 - which just so happens to be when the NFL season typically kicks off. The first Thursday after Labor Day in 2026 lands on September 10, with the full slate of Sunday games following on September 13.
So yes, Week 1 is technically in play.
But it’s not a given. We’ve seen how tricky ACL recoveries can be, especially for quarterbacks who rely on mobility and improvisation the way Mahomes does.
Look back at Kyler Murray. The Cardinals QB tore his ACL in December 2022 and didn’t return to action until November 2023 - nearly 11 months later.
And while Tom Brady famously returned from his 2008 ACL injury in time for the next season’s opener, Brady’s game was built more around pocket presence than off-script magic. Mahomes, on the other hand, makes a living on broken plays and second-reaction brilliance - and that puts more stress on the knees.
Chiefs Confident in Mahomes’ Recovery
Still, the Chiefs appear optimistic. Head coach Andy Reid said Monday he expects a “fairly quick recovery” for his franchise quarterback. That’s a big statement from a coach who’s seen his share of injuries over the years and knows the toll they can take.
Schefter echoed that optimism, adding: “Patrick Mahomes is different. He’s built different.”
And that’s not just a throwaway line. Mahomes has proven time and again that he’s wired to handle adversity - whether it’s playing through a high ankle sprain in the playoffs or leading a fourth-quarter comeback in the Super Bowl.
With Mahomes, the mindset is always forward. He’s already moving through the early stages of rehab, and you can bet he’s got September 13, 2026, circled on his calendar.
What It Means for the Chiefs
In the short term, Kansas City will have to navigate life without their MVP. That’s no small task, even for a team that’s built a strong foundation around him.
But the long-term outlook? It’s still centered around No.
If Mahomes hits his target return date, he’ll be back under center just nine months after surgery - a remarkable turnaround by any standard. And if there’s anyone in the league who can pull that off, it’s the guy who’s been redefining what’s possible at the quarterback position since he first took the field.
The road back won’t be easy. But don’t bet against Mahomes. He’s already rewriting the timeline.