Patrick Mahomes Sets Insanely Bold Return Date For 2026 Season After ACL Surgery
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is in the early stages of his recovery process. The three-time Super Bowl champion suffered a season-ending injury in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
That game meant the Chiefs’ elimination from playoff contention for the first time since 2014. At the same time, Mahomes suffered the first major injury of his career. The Chiefs entered the offseason with several questions to answer and no clear picture of when their main man will return to the pitch.
Mahomes went 315 of 502 for 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. It was his worst season to date, and it reflected in his team’s record (6-11). He remains eager to return to the top of his game and plans to do so sooner than anyone expected.
Patrick Mahomes Aims For A Week 1 Return From ACL Injury
A day after he suffered the injury, Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery. He is recovering from the process, but the quarterback is reportedly pushing harder to be fit for the 2026 season opener. According to NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz, Mahomes wants to be ready for Week 1 and play without restrictions.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says rehab is going great, doctors have to hold him back from wanting to push harder. He said his goal is to try to get ready for week 1 & play without restrictions. He said his doctors said it’s possible but a long way to go.
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) January 15, 2026
Doctors consider that scenario is possible, but also know he still has to go through many steps before being able to play at full speed. Something to keep in mind is that Mahomes uses his legs a lot, which could force him to sit longer than other quarterbacks who suffered the same injury but weren’t as mobile as he is.
This is an ambitious plan, but it could take a lot for the Chiefs’ superstar to pull it off.
