Kansas City Chiefs fans can breathe a little easier this offseason. General Manager Brett Veach delivered some much-needed good news over the weekend regarding franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the closing weeks of the 2025 season.
According to Veach and head coach Andy Reid, Mahomes is "ahead of schedule" in his rehabilitation. This optimistic update comes as a relief for a fanbase that has been anxiously waiting for signs that their star signal-caller will be ready to lead the offense come Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Mahomes has already shown his determination to return to form. Just over a month ago, on March 25—exactly 100 days after his injury—he shared a video on social media of himself throwing passes on a turf field at an indoor facility. In the clip, Mahomes can be seen dropping back, planting his left foot (which was protected by a sleeve), and delivering a crisp pass. It was a small but significant step in his recovery journey.
"I wanna be ready for Week 1," Mahomes said back in January. "The doctor said that I could be, but I can't predict what's gonna happen throughout the process. But that's my goal, and so I'll try to prepare myself to be ready to play in that Week 1 and have no restrictions."
He also expressed hope to participate in some OTAs in late May or early June, with a full return expected by training camp. "I'll hopefully be able to do a lot there," he added.
Of course, the Chiefs aren't taking any chances. During the offseason, the team traded for former New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields and drafted LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They will compete with Chris Oladokun for the backup role—and potentially the starting job if Mahomes isn't quite ready to go in Week 1.
For now, the message from Kansas City is clear: the three-time Super Bowl MVP is on track, and the team is preparing for his return at full strength. If you're looking to gear up for the 2026 season in style, make sure you're ready to support your favorite quarterback—whether he's under center in Week 1 or cheering from the sidelines, Mahomes' comeback story is one you won't want to miss.