Andy Reid Drops Major Update Over Patrick Mahomes’ Week 1 Return After ACL Surgery

The Kansas City Chiefs finished 6-11 in 2025, their worst record since 2014. The season ended with Patrick Mahomes tearing his ACL and LCL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Six months later, Mahomes is back on the practice field wearing a knee brace, and Andy Reid is facing questions about his quarterback’s Week 1 availability.

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mahomes underwent surgery the day after the injury in Dallas. The standard recovery window for a torn ACL with LCL involvement runs between nine and twelve months. Kansas City’s 2026 season opener against the Denver Broncos is scheduled for September 14, which gives Mahomes a tight but realistic target if his progress continues without a setback.

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During a June 5interview with Stephen A. Smith, Reid was asked directly about Mahomes’ Week 1 availability. Reid did not offer a guarantee, but his words leaned firmly in one direction.

“We haven’t made any assumptions that he’s going to absolutely be there game one,” Reid said. “We brought in Justin for that reason. We drafted a quarterback.”

Reid then added a confident note. “I wouldn’t bet against him,” he told Smith. “If anybody can do it, it’s this kid, and the way he goes about it and the way he heals.” That line carried weight from a coach who has watchedMahomes spend seven hours a day at the facility throughout the offseason, rehabbing alongside athletic trainer Julie Frymyer.

According toThe Kansas City Star’s Pete Sweeney, Mahomes attended all three OTAs last week and participated in 7-on-7 drills and individual sessions, though he was kept out of 11-on-11 work.

Reid explained the current limits for Mahomes. “He can travel under center, but I just don’t want him in any area where there might be a jet sweep coming or something of that sort,” he said. “He has busted his tail to put himself in this position. Most guys wouldn’t even be able to do this.”

At last week’s OTAs, Mahomes was seen jogging and throwing passes to Xavier Worthy in individual drills. He wore a knee brace throughout the sessions. GM Brett Veach described his recovery as “way ahead of schedule,” but both he and Reid have been careful not to commit to a timeline. Mahomes himself said two-week checkpoints are being used to track his clearance for full team periods.

Kansas City Added Justin Fields Ahead of Patrick Mahomes’ Impending Return

The Chiefs did not wait for Mahomes’ full recovery before adding a contingency plan. Kansas Cityacquired Justin Fields from the New York Jets on March 18 in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Fields ran first-team reps throughout the OTAs, taking 11-on-11 snaps that Mahomes could not yet handle.

Fields showed some inconsistency early in OTAs as he worked to build timing with new receivers. Reid acknowledged that directly. “He doesn’t know all these receivers yet,” Reid said. Fields joined the Chiefs to learn from both Mahomes and Reid, not simply to hold a clipboard. He has 9,039 career passing yards and 52 touchdowns across four seasons.

The Chiefs’ 2026 season largely depends on how Mahomes’ knee responds in the coming weeks. Reid will not rush him into 11-on-11 contact, and the Chiefs will not put him on the field before his checkpoints are cleared. If Mahomes hits every milestone between now and training camp, Reid’s confidence may prove well-founded. If not, Fields is there, and the Chiefs built enough depth to manage the wait.

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