Overview
- Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL on December 14, 2025 and underwent surgery soon after, setting a staged nine- to 12-month recovery timeline.
- Multiple insiders, including Albert Breer, reported this week that there is an expectation Mahomes will be cleared for full-team work, but that final approval hinges on his performance in live contact drills.
- Quarterbacks and rookies will report early to St. Joseph, Missouri for training camp where 11-on-11 work and reps against live defenders will be used to validate his readiness.
- The Chiefs plan a cautious, calculated ramp-up that limits preseason and practice reps to protect Mahomes’ surgically repaired knee and preserve his availability for the whole season.
- Kansas City’s early-season outlook depends heavily on his return, and the team’s March trade for Justin Fields provides an experienced insurance option that will shape rep allocation and game-planning.