Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Monday that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is tracking significantly ahead of schedule in his recovery from ACL and LCL tears in his left knee, becoming the first member of the organization to publicly characterize the rehab using those terms.
“He’s way ahead of schedule,” Veach told SiriusXM on Monday morning. “I think the biggest challenge that we’re going to have is protecting [Mahomes] against himself because I’m sure when we get to St. Joseph, Missouri, for training camp, he’s going to want to be a full-go.” The remark marks a notable shift in tone from the more cautious updates the organization has provided throughout the winter and spring.
Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee on December 14 in the final minutes of a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which effectively eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention. He underwent surgery the following day in Dallas with orthopedist Dr. Dan Cooper, and the rehabilitation began almost immediately back in Kansas City.
He underwent surgery the following day in Dallas, and Chiefs vice president of sports medicine Rick Burkholder estimated a recovery timeline of roughly nine months. That nine-month window places his potential return right around the start of the regular season. Mahomes’ current progress, however, puts him on track to potentially take part in portions of the team’s offseason workout program if the recovery continues without setbacks.
Mahomes was present for the start of the Chiefs’ offseason program Monday, an important milestone as the two-time NFL MVP works toward a return. Head coach Andy Reid addressed the quarterback’s status with characteristic caution despite the encouraging signs. “He can lift, do all that. Rehab. That’s the phase he’s in right now,” Reid said. “We’ll just see. Kind of play it by ear. See where he’s at. He’s doing great, but we’ve just got to be smart with this thing.”
Mahomes himself has set a clear target. Mahomes previously told local reporters, “That’s the goal, to play Week 1 and have no restrictions.” He has spoken publicly about the rehabilitation process since January, describing the mental and physical demands of the recovery.
The Chiefs last month added insurance by sending the New York Jets a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft for quarterback Justin Fields. Kansas City also picked up $7 million of his guaranteed $10 million salary. Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets last March. The acquisition of Fields provides the organization with a credentialed starter should Mahomes require extra recovery time beyond the regular season opener.
To be cleared for Week 1, Mahomes will need to demonstrate full football mobility, including cutting, scrambling, and absorbing contact, while also satisfying the Chiefs’ medical staff that his knee can handle the demands of a full NFL season. With Veach’s assessment now on record and the offseason program underway in Kansas City, the organization appears cautiously optimistic that its franchise quarterback will be available when the 2026 season begins.
