Patrick Mahomes is targeting a return for Week 1 of the NFL season, aiming to be ready for the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Denver Broncos. The two-time NFL MVP suffered a torn ACL in a Week 15 loss to the Chargers last season.
"That’s my goal," Mahomes told Yahoo Sports. "I’ve said that since the beginning is being ready to go Week 1. I can’t predict the future and I know that it’s a long process. It’s not just my decision, but at the same time I’m going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1."
Mahomes emphasized his desire to play against the Broncos, the team that won the AFC West division while the Chiefs were without him. "I don’t want to miss that game [against the Broncos] because that’s the team that won the division while we were gone and you want to be out there and ready to go with your teammates."
He hopes his medical team and coaching staff will ultimately grant him clearance for a Week 1 comeback. The injury caused Mahomes to miss the final three games of the 2025 season, a period during which the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. While he was held out of full-team drills, Mahomes has participated in offseason workouts. He stated that missing time on the field with his teammates motivated his focus on recovery for the 2026 season.
"After the season ended, it was just about getting back out there and try and do whatever I can to be able to participate in OTAs, which I did, and be ready to go for training camp," Mahomes added. "I know it’s a long process, but you have these end goals. I’m just trying to achieve those end goals by dominating every single day."
Mahomes described the recovery program over the past few months as positive. "We’ve had a great recovery program going these last few months and we’re in a good spot. Now it’s just about trying to continue to do that so that I’m ready to go when the season comes around."
With the Chiefs going 0-3 in Mahomes' absence in 2025, his full strength return is crucial for the team. In his eight years as a starter, Mahomes has accumulated over 35,000 passing yards and 267 touchdowns, leading the Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories and five appearances in the championship game.