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Mahomes cleared for camp; starter still undecided

7/27/2026

31 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Mahomes Returns

Patrick Mahomes was cleared for full training camp on July 25, 2026.
Coach Andy Reid said rehab will be day-by-day and no Week 1 starter is named yet.
Mahomes threw a touchdown to Jimmy Holiday, a no-look pass to Andrew Armstrong, and will start camp with a knee brace.
ESPN analyst Nate Taylor predicts the Chiefs will sit Mahomes for all three preseason games.

Summary

Reid Reinstates Rookie Start

Andy Reid reinstated the three-day rookie head start, noting nearly one-third of the 90-man roster are rookies.
The early camp has 37 participants, excluding two on the active PUP list, for extra reps before veterans arrive.
Defensive backs coach Dave Merritt and coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will oversee rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane’s development.
The first public practice is July 30, with the full squad on the field July 29.

History

Historical Context

In the mid-1990s, after the NFL grew from 28 to 30 teams with the 1995 expansion of the Panthers and Jaguars, the league formalized three-day rookie minicamps to acclimate new players. Head coach Andy Reid revived that format for the Chiefs in 2026, bringing 37 rookies such as cornerback Mansoor Delane into a three-day head start before veterans like Patrick Mahomes join.

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Mahomes Returns

Patrick Mahomes was cleared for full training camp on July 25, 2026.
Coach Andy Reid said rehab will be day-by-day and no Week 1 starter is named yet.
Mahomes threw a touchdown to Jimmy Holiday, a no-look pass to Andrew Armstrong, and will start camp with a knee brace.
ESPN analyst Nate Taylor predicts the Chiefs will sit Mahomes for all three preseason games.

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