Patrick Mahomes hasn't played competitive football since tearing his ACL last season. Head coach Andy Reid rested Mahomes in the preseason, which begs the question: Will the 30-year-old be ready to start in week one against the Denver Broncos?
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Saturday's NFL Gameday Kickoff teased that Mahomes 'is on track to start week one.' When Rapoport visited the Chiefs training session at St. John's in Missouri, he saw glimpses of the old Mahomes.
My understanding is that [Patrick Mahomes] has had better and more efficient training camp… he has had in some time… Now is he gonna be on the field in week one in a way we are used to seeing, [which] seems like yes, maybe they have to adjust a little more [on] run game, a little more [on] defense. But Patrick Mahomes is tracking to be on the field when the season begins.
Ian Rapoport saidIn December, the Chiefs played rivals the Chargers. Toward the end of the game, Mahomes suffered an ACL tear while attempting a scramble. KC lost the game, which ended their chances of playing postseason football.
Mahomes underwent surgery. KC placed him on the injured reserve list. The Chiefs finished with a 6-11 season, their first losing season in the Mahomes era.
Mahomes recovered in record time. He began personal training just a few months after surgery. He attended all phases of the offseason camp.
Earlier in the month, reporters asked the 3x Super Bowl champion about his leg's condition and whether he would be ready to face Denver on opening day of the 2026 season.
It's [been] nine months [since the injury]. It's the amount of time [doctors] said from the beginning, that if I did everything the right way, I would be ready to play Week 1. I'm someone that, if you put [a goal] out in front of me, I want to go out and get it and maximize every single opportunity… This has always been the plan. From the day I got the surgery, as quick as I did, to hopefully the first game of the year, the plan will go accordingly, and I'll be able to go out there and be myself.
Mahomes told the reporters (H/T Bleacher Report)Fans and former players are expecting a massive season from Mahomes. In 2024, the Chiefs were denied a three-peat, and last year was an anomaly for Mahomes' high standards. The Chiefs added firepower to the offense to help Mahomes in the long run.
They signed Super Bowl MVP and running back Kenneth Walker and former Cardinal Emari Demarcado. KC drafted Nebraska rusher Emmett Johnson and wide receiver Cyrus Allen. But more importantly, future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce extended his tenure by one year to help the Chiefs win a fourth championship since 2018.
Mahomes still has until the second week of September to be fully healthy for the Broncos. However, an equally important question remains: who will Andy Reid select as Mahomes' primary backup for the 2026 season?
The Chiefs parted ways with Gardner Minshew after last season ended. Chris Oladokun was retained. General manager Brett Veach traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for Justin Fields.
For the longest time, experts viewed Fields as the optimal backup to Mahomes. However, the tables have turned. The 2026 249th overall pick, Garrett Nussmeier, has gained a favorable edge over Fields in the last few weeks.
[Garrett] Nussmeier, a late draft pick, has had an excellent, excellent [preseason]. Obviously, they have Justin Fields in there, former starter. Nussmeier has been pushing… Certainly a situation to keep an eye on.
Rapoport saidNussmeier played in all three preseason games. He finished preseason with 44 completions on 70 pass attempts for 370 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. After the draw with Seattle on Friday, coach Reid gave his honest opinion on the former LSU man.
Handled things right… Had a chance to see a few blitzes in there… Making the halftime adjustments, he was able to go through that and work through what takes place there….
Andy Reid said via Charles Goldman of AtoZ SportsThe Chiefs usually keep only three quarterbacks on their team. Oladokun has been part of the offense the longest and Nussmeier has done better than expected, which leaves Fields as the odd man out. It won't surprise anyone if the Chiefs trade him in the upcoming days.
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