Patrick Mahomes continues to progress in his recovery from the knee injury that ended his previous season and said he has reached the major checkpoints established by his medical team.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is entering the final stage of preparation before the 2026 season and remains focused on returning for Week 1 without restrictions. Mahomes said each practice is helping him feel better as he gradually increases his activity. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
Mahomes says he has reached his recovery goals
Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the previous season and later underwent surgery that also repaired the lateral collateral ligament.
The recovery became one of Kansas City's biggest questions throughout the 2026 offseason. However, the quarterback has continued progressing according to the goals established by his medical team.
During the preseason process, Mahomes gradually increased his participation and was eventually fully cleared to take part in training camp. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
The quarterback still has one final stage to complete
Although Mahomes has made positive progress, his rehabilitation does not automatically mean he is ready to play a regular-season game without limitations.
The quarterback has said his goal is to be fully prepared for Week 1, but he has also acknowledged that recovering from an injury of this magnitude requires patience.
Kansas City's priority will be making sure Mahomes can move, throw and react to game situations without putting his recovery at risk.
The Chiefs are protecting their most important player
Mahomes is the centerpiece of Kansas City's offense and one of the most important players in the NFL. Because of that, the team has little reason to accelerate the process if any part of his recovery still requires additional work.
Mahomes has acknowledged that his doctors have sometimes had to slow his desire to push harder during rehabilitation. The objective is to reach each checkpoint at the appropriate time and avoid a setback.
His participation in team activities now allows Kansas City to evaluate his progress in situations increasingly similar to real football.
Will Patrick Mahomes play in Week 1?
For now, the goal remains having Mahomes available at the start of the season. The quarterback has been clear that he wants to return and play without restrictions.
However, his progress will still need to be monitored during the coming weeks. His final availability will depend on evaluations by doctors, coaches and the player himself.
The positive development for the Chiefs is that Mahomes has already cleared several major hurdles in his recovery. The organization has been able to see him work with teammates again during training camp, a significant step from where things stood when he suffered the injury.
Kansas City also strengthened Mahomes' protection
The Chiefs recently acquired guard Joshua Ezeudu from the New York Giants in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick. The move added depth to an offensive line responsible for protecting their quarterback. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
The transaction becomes even more relevant as Mahomes completes his recovery. Kansas City needs to create the best possible conditions for its quarterback to return safely.
Week 1 is getting closer
Mahomes' preparation will continue during the final weeks before the season begins. Each practice will provide another opportunity to determine whether he can increase his activity without discomfort and fully regain confidence in his knee.
For the Chiefs, having Mahomes ready would be one of the most important developments heading into the season. The team needs not only his talent but also his ability to move and make decisions under pressure.
For now, the outlook is encouraging. Mahomes says he has reached the checkpoints established during his recovery and continues moving toward his goal of being available in Week 1.
The final decision will still depend on how his knee responds over the next few weeks, but Kansas City can increasingly see its quarterback getting closer to returning to competitive football.