Patrick Mahomes is on the path to recovery, with the Kansas City Chiefs optimistic that his return could happen quicker than anticipated.
Kansas City’s star quarterback began his rehab this week after undergoing a surgical procedure on his left knee to mend tears in both the ACL and LCL. This operation was conducted by Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas and, as announced by the team, was successful.
Chiefs’ vice president of sports medicine and performance, Rick Burkholder, stated that while the standard recovery timeline hovers around nine months, there is flexibility depending on individual circumstances.
“Every player has a unique journey,” Burkholder noted. “Generally speaking, we estimate nine months, but it could be a bit longer or shorter.”
This projection places Mahomes’ potential return in line with the start of the 2026 season, scheduled for early September. Although the Chiefs refrain from setting rigid goals, there is a sense of hope he could be back on the field earlier.
Mahomes sustained the injury during a late-game drive against the Chargers, a matchup that marked the end of Kansas City’s playoff streak. The loss also ended a decade-long run of postseason appearances and nine consecutive AFC West titles.
In the meantime, Gardner Minshew will lead the team over the final three games, starting with a matchup against Tennessee. He enters a locker room facing multiple challenges, as several key players, including wide receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton, are in concussion protocol alongside injured offensive linemen and vital defensive players.
Mahomes is anticipated to return to Kansas City by week’s end to intensify his rehab, supervised by assistant trainer and physical therapist Julie Frymyer, who played a crucial role in his recovery from a high ankle sprain during the 2022-23 playoffs.
Despite facing this setback, Mahomes retains his competitive mindset.
“He approached it right away,” Coach Andy Reid shared. “That’s simply part of his character.”
The rehab process is underway, and the belief within the organization is that Mahomes will attack this challenge just like he does in games: with full intensity.
