Patrick Mahomes on Track in ACL Recovery, Eyes Week 1 Return
Patrick Mahomes doesn’t often find himself on the sidelines, but after tearing the ACL in his left knee during the Chiefs’ December 14 loss to the Chargers, that’s exactly where he’s been. Now, just a month into his rehab, the two-time MVP is already attacking recovery with the same intensity he brings to the pocket - and he’s got his sights set firmly on Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Meeting with reporters via Zoom on Thursday, Mahomes gave an encouraging update from Kansas City, where he’s been rehabbing full-time. “Rehab is going great so far,” he said.
“I'm hitting all the checkpoints that the doctor wants you to do. Getting the strength, the range, and mobility back.
So that's been going great.”
For Mahomes, the process is as much mental as physical. He’s known for his competitive fire, and that’s clearly showing up in rehab.
“The doctor gives you goals to get to, and I just try to maximize those,” he said. “And they hold me back, because I always want to go a little bit further.”
That mindset tracks with everything we know about Mahomes - the guy doesn’t just aim to return; he aims to return better. Still, he’s aware that recovery from an ACL tear isn’t linear, and there are no guarantees when it comes to timelines. But that’s not stopping him from targeting a return in time for the season opener.
“I want to be ready for Week 1,” Mahomes said. “The doctor said that I could be, but I can't predict what's going to happen throughout the process. But that's my goal, so I'll try to prepare myself to be ready to play in Week 1 and have no restrictions.”
That’s a bold target, but not an unrealistic one. Mahomes is still in the early stages of recovery, but hitting every benchmark this early is a strong sign. And with his work ethic, it’s hard to bet against him.
What stands out most is Mahomes’ attitude. Even with a long road ahead, he’s embracing the grind.
“I’m excited for the process,” he said. “It’s a long process, but I’m excited for it.
We have a great plan in place.”
For Chiefs fans, that’s exactly what you want to hear from your franchise quarterback. The injury may have derailed Kansas City’s playoff hopes this season, but Mahomes is already laying the groundwork for a comeback. If all goes according to plan, expect No. 15 to be back under center - and back in MVP conversations - when the 2026 season kicks off.