Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has shared that he sought guidance from veteran Tom Brady during his recovery from a torn ACL. Mahomes sustained the injury in Week 15 of the previous season.
"I talked to Tom early in the process because he had the same injury, a very similar injury that I had," Mahomes told reporters in Kansas City. Brady, who suffered his own ACL tear at the start of the 2008 season, went on to play 14 more seasons and win four Super Bowls.
Mahomes, 30, who already has three Super Bowl titles, acknowledged the importance of a full recovery to potentially challenge Brady's record of seven championships. He also drew on the experiences of former teammate Tyranniel Mathieu and Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz, who also underwent ACL surgery.
Mahomes described the recovery process as lengthy, recalling the difficulty of watching his team play while he was sidelined. He is now aiming to be cleared for the regular season opener.
He also detailed an informal rehabilitation competition with Ertz, who had a similar injury. The competition involved comparing deadlift numbers and sharing rehabilitation videos, including progress on cutting and acceleration drills.
The Chiefs experienced a challenging 2025 season, missing the playoffs amidst numerous injuries and off-field issues. Mahomes himself had his lowest quarterback rating since 2018 before his season-ending injury.
While Mahomes participated in some drills during minicamp, his availability for Week 1 remains uncertain. If he is unable to start, newly acquired Justin Fields is the expected backup, with rookie Garrett Nussmeier also a potential consideration.
The addition of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III at running back could provide support to the Chiefs' offense, regardless of who is at quarterback for the season's start.