The NFL schedule-makers have spoken, and the Kansas City Chiefs are once again in the spotlight. But before you start speculating about Patrick Mahomes' recovery timeline, the league wants to make one thing clear: those early primetime games aren't a secret signal.
The Chiefs are set to kick off the season with back-to-back marquee matchups—hosting the Denver Broncos on "Monday Night Football" (September 14) and then squaring off against the Indianapolis Colts at home on Sunday Night Football in Week 2. It's a heavyweight start for any team, but especially for one whose franchise quarterback is racing the clock.
Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee back on December 14, and since then, his goal has been clear: be ready for Week 1. But according to NFL executive Hans Schroeder, the league's scheduling decisions weren't based on any inside info about Mahomes' progress. "We didn't know anything more than anyone else," Schroeder said Friday.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid echoed that sentiment during his appearance on NFL Network, noting that the league didn't consult him about Mahomes' status. Still, Reid is encouraged by what he's seen so far in the offseason program. "He's doing great right now, and that's kind of how you gotta go about this," Reid said. "People go, 'Well, he's ahead of schedule.' Who made the schedule? Everybody's different. Let's just take it day by day."
Reid also emphasized Mahomes' relentless work ethic, revealing that the star quarterback is spending up to seven hours a day on rehab. "He hasn't missed a day, and he wants more—all the things that are Patrick Mahomes," Reid added. "Let's see where we are as we get a little closer to the game."
Schroeder said he was "excited" by Reid's comments, and it's easy to see why the Chiefs remain a ratings powerhouse. Kansas City is scheduled for six primetime games this season, including a Thanksgiving night showdown against the Buffalo Bills—a matchup that's already generating buzz as one of the most anticipated games of the year.
Even after a 6-11 season that saw them miss the playoffs following three straight Super Bowl runs, the Chiefs are still a prime-time favorite. In addition to their six night games, they have five more contests slotted in the high-profile late-afternoon Sunday doubleheader window. "The Chiefs are an incredible story," Schroeder said. "They're one of the most popular teams in the league right now. They've been on an incredibly successful run and built a hugely popular fan base."
So, whether Mahomes is under center in Week 1 or not, one thing is certain: the NFL is betting big on the Chiefs' star power—and fans everywhere will be watching.