Patrick Mahomes' Rehabilitation Progress: Aiming for Week 1 Return

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has shared a video on social media showcasing his rehabilitation progress following surgery to repair torn ACL and LCL ligaments in his left knee. The video, posted on March 25, 2026, marks a significant milestone as it comes approximately 100 days after his surgery, which took place the day after he sustained the injury during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14, 2025. In the clip, Mahomes demonstrates a dropback and throws a pass while wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg, indicating he is making strides in his recovery.

ESPNField Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLMRFI (Radio France Internationale)Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes posts video of himself throwing roughly three months after knee surgerySports Illustrated

Mahomes expressed optimism in his Instagram post, stating, “Day by Day! Felt Great being able to throw the ball around today!” His recovery has been closely monitored by the Chiefs' medical staff, including Rick Burkholder, the team's vice president of sports medicine and performance, who noted that Mahomes' injury was "fixable" and that he has been proactive in his rehabilitation efforts. Coach Andy Reid highlighted Mahomes' dedication, mentioning that he spends significant time at the facility working on his recovery.

NBC Sports

Mahomes is targeting a return for the Chiefs' season opener, scheduled for September 9, 2026. He has indicated that he aims to participate in offseason activities, including organized team activities (OTAs) and training camp. While the typical recovery timeline for an ACL injury is around nine months, Mahomes' rapid progress has led to speculation that he could be ready for Week 1, although this remains contingent on his ongoing recovery.

Heavy

Despite the positive outlook, some analysts caution that rushing back from such a significant injury could pose risks. NFL insider Jay Glazer noted that while Mahomes has a unique ability to recover quickly, the Chiefs must ensure he is fully healed before returning to game action. The team has also taken precautions by acquiring quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets, providing a safety net should Mahomes need more time to recover.

New York Post

As the Chiefs prepare for the upcoming season, Mahomes' rehabilitation will be closely monitored. If he continues to progress as expected, he may participate in training camp later this summer. However, the Chiefs are also preparing for the possibility of Fields starting if Mahomes is not ready, ensuring that the team remains competitive as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season.

New York Post

• “Day by Day! Felt Great being able to throw the ball around today!” — Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

NBC Sports

• “Everything that he had in this injury was fixable, correctable and it was fixed,” — Rick Burkholder, Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance, Kansas City Chiefs

USA Today

• “He spends a ton of time here, seven hours a day.” — Andy Reid, Head Coach, Kansas City Chiefs

ESPN

Mahomes' recovery journey is a focal point for the Chiefs as they look to reclaim their status in the NFL, and his progress will be pivotal in determining the team's success in the upcoming season.

Sports Illustrated