Patrick Mahomes Begins ACL Recovery as Tom Brady Offers Veteran Wisdom
The Kansas City Chiefs' season came to a sudden halt this past Sunday, and with it came a gut-punch of a headline: Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL. It’s a brutal end to the year for the three-time Super Bowl champion and the face of the franchise, and now the long road to recovery begins.
If there’s one person who knows exactly what Mahomes is about to face, it’s Tom Brady. The retired seven-time Super Bowl winner tore his ACL and MCL back in 2008-ironically, in his ninth NFL season and eighth as a starter, just like Mahomes.
And on the latest episode of his “Let’s Go!” podcast, Brady didn’t sugarcoat the path ahead.
Brady’s Message: Focus Forward, Not Back
“The only thing you can do is focus on what’s ahead of you and not look back,” Brady said. “And just say, ‘OK, this is part of what my career is going to be.’”
That mindset is already showing up in Mahomes’ approach. The Chiefs’ star underwent surgery on Monday in Dallas, a swift move that signals he’s wasting no time. The typical recovery timeline for an ACL tear sits around 9 to 12 months, which puts Week 1 of the 2026 season in play-but it’s far too early for any guarantees.
Still, if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Mahomes over the years, it’s that he’s not wired to coast. And Brady knows that mentality is critical.
“You’ve just got to put as much diligence into the rehab process,” Brady said. “I always feel like the faster you rehab, the faster you can get back to practicing the sport that you know you love.”
Rehab vs. Training: A Crucial Shift
Brady didn’t stop there. He highlighted a key difference between simply getting healthy and getting back to elite form.
“I think sometimes people will pace themselves,” he explained. “Instead of training mode, they’re in rehab mode. I think you gotta get through rehab mode as fast as possible, and then you get back to training mode.”
That’s the challenge Mahomes now faces-turning the grind of recovery into a launchpad for the next chapter of his already legendary career. According to Brady, that transition takes more than just time and effort. It takes a full-on, all-in commitment.
“It requires an all-out commitment, and it’s the same commitment that the great professional athletes make to be great at their profession,” Brady said.
The Psychological Battle of Recovery
Beyond the physical hurdles, Brady pointed to the mental toll of an ACL rehab. It’s not just about building back strength-it’s about staying locked in when progress feels invisible.
“It’s a tough rehab,” Brady admitted. “It’s one of the toughest rehabs.
I just remember every day pushing myself. And it’s always the same amount of pain and discomfort, except you’re making progress through that pain and discomfort, which is a hard psychological thing to battle.”
That statement hits home for any athlete who’s been through it. The pain doesn’t let up, but somewhere in the background, the body is healing. For Mahomes, that’s the next challenge: staying mentally sharp while his knee catches up physically.
“You feel like, God, every day, it doesn’t feel right,” Brady continued. “Except you’re gaining range of motion and you’re gaining strength, and you are on the road to recovery. So I wish him the very best.”
What’s Next for Mahomes and the Chiefs
With surgery now behind him, Mahomes enters the grind of rehab-a process that could define the Chiefs’ 2026 season and beyond. His recovery will be one of the most-watched storylines of the NFL offseason. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that betting against Mahomes-especially when he’s got a chip on his shoulder-is a risky move.
Brady’s blueprint is there. Four more Super Bowl rings came after his own ACL tear.
Mahomes now has a chance to write his own comeback chapter. The road won’t be easy, but greatness rarely is.
And if Mahomes needs a sounding board along the way, Brady’s already extended the invitation-through experience, perspective, and a whole lot of hard-earned wisdom.