One of the biggest questions looming over the Chiefs this offseason is: when will Patrick Mahomes finish his rehab and be available to start for Kansas City? The star quarterback tore his ACL in December, ending his 2025 season early. He has since undergone surgery to repair his ACL and LCL and is continuing to recover.
The best-case scenario, of course, would be for Mahomes to be ready by Week 1. Realistically, an ACL recovery typically takes at least nine months for football players. That means Mahomes could be back on the field in Week 2 or 3 of the 2026 season. If things keep progressing well, there’s a chance Mahomes will be ready to start in Week 1. Otherwise, the Chiefs will start their new backup, Justin Fields, until Mahomes is ready to make his 2026 debut.
