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Patrick Mahomes made a promise while facing the most difficult rehabilitation process of his football career.
He intended to be ready for Week 1.
Exactly 274 days after tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee, Mahomes is expected to start when the Kansas City Chiefs open their 2026 season against the Denver Broncos on Monday night at 8:15 p.m. ET. The three-time Super Bowl champion did not simply recover in time to appear in the opener. Mahomes enters the game expecting to play without limitations after devoting almost his entire offseason to rebuilding his knee and preparing his body for another championship pursuit.
An extensive report from ESPN’s Nate Taylor detailed the demanding process that brought Mahomes from an MRI machine in December to the starting lineup in September. The journey revealed another side of the competitiveness that has defined his career.
Patrick Mahomes begins recovery less than 24 hours after surgery
Mahomes suffered the injury late in Kansas City’s Dec. 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. After scrambling out of the pocket and throwing the ball away, Mahomes planted his left foot in the turf. His knee hyperextended, tearing two of its primary stabilizing ligaments.
The loss eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention, ending a disappointing season and the Chiefs’ streak of postseason appearances that dated to 2015. Mahomes underwent surgery the next day. ESPN reported that he avoided artery, nerve, joint-surface and meniscus damage, giving him a more favorable starting point for the long recovery.
His first rehabilitation session began less than 24 hours after the procedure.
Mahomes worked closely with Chiefs assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer, who had previously helped him return from a dislocated kneecap, turf toe and a high ankle sprain. This recovery presented a much greater challenge because it required months of repetitive work and carefully monitored progress. Beginning in January, Mahomes spent at least seven hours inside the Chiefs’ training facility on most days. His strength and flexibility were evaluated every two weeks, with each progress report sent to surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper.
Frymyer also traveled with Mahomes throughout the offseason to maintain continuity in the rehabilitation program.
Mahomes’ message never changed.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Mahomes said, according to ESPN.
Chiefs quarterback sacrifices summer for Week 1 goal
Mahomes reached an important milestone on March 25, the 100th day after surgery. During a workout in Dallas, he threw a football and completed a five-step dropback at a moderate pace. The brief session provided the first public evidence that Mahomes was progressing toward his goal.
He participated in seven-on-seven drills during Kansas City’s organized team activities in May. Coach Andy Reid kept him out of full team periods as a precaution, but Mahomes completed his normal dropbacks from the shotgun and under center. By July, Cooper cleared him to participate fully in training camp after Mahomes completed a demanding series of running, jumping and cutting tests.
The quarterback never missed a training camp practice or an 11-on-11 period. He eventually scrambled, changed direction and operated Kansas City’s complete offense without showing a noticeable limp.
General manager Brett Veach told ESPN that Mahomes essentially surrendered his entire summer to the recovery. Even while attending several major personal events, including Travis Kelce’s wedding, Mahomes continued working with Frymyer and longtime personal trainer Bobby Stroupe.
The Chiefs held Mahomes out of preseason games to eliminate unnecessary risk. Behind the scenes, he continued testing the knee and rebuilding confidence in his mobility.
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Mahomes wants to become better quarterback after injury
Returning for Week 1 was never Mahomes’ only objective. He wants to prove that the injury can make him a more efficient quarterback.
Mahomes acknowledged that he relied too heavily on his scrambling ability during the 2025 season. He rushed for a career-high 422 yards and five touchdowns but believes he occasionally held the ball too long instead of navigating the pocket and delivering it quickly. According to ESPN, Mahomes attempted 126 passes at least 3.5 seconds after the snap last season, tied for the fourth-highest total in the NFL. He also completed only 20 of his 54 throws traveling at least 20 yards downfield.
Improving those numbers would allow Mahomes to reduce the number of unnecessary hits he absorbs while making Kansas City’s offense more explosive.
The addition of reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III should also prevent Mahomes from carrying the entire offensive burden. Monday will provide the final test of his recovery. Mahomes has completed every controlled workout and practice assignment, but he has not taken a hit from an opposing defender since suffering the injury.
He must experience his first sack, open-field tackle and instinctive scramble before he can completely move past the psychological challenge of the injury.
Mahomes believes the work prepared him for those moments.
“When I get on the field, I’m going to be myself,” he said.
After 274 days of rehabilitation, sacrifice and uncertainty, Mahomes finally gets that opportunity against the Broncos.
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