Mahomes Optimistic on Knee Recovery for 2026 Season

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes provided his first public update on his recovery from a season-ending knee injury Thursday, expressing optimism about returning for the start of the 2026 NFL season.

Mahomes tore his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament during the Chiefs' 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14, 2025, in Week 15. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, contributing to Kansas City's first losing record in his nine-year career. He underwent surgery the following evening, performed by Dallas-based orthopedic surgeon Daniel E. Cooper. Now one month into a projected nine-month rehabilitation process, Mahomes spoke to reporters via video conference from the team's training facility in Kansas City.

Rehabilitation efforts are progressing smoothly under the guidance of Chiefs assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer, who is leading the program at the team's Kansas City facility. Mahomes plans to continue most of his work there, with occasional trips to Dallas for follow-up consultations with Cooper. "Rehab's going great so far," Mahomes said. "I'm just hitting all the checkpoints that the doctor wants you...