What happened: Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14, ending his 2025 season. [NFL.com](https://amp.nfl.com/news/chiefs-andy-reid-patrick-mahomes-most-likely-to-start-week-1-vs-broncos) He said Thursday he remains willing to run with the ball while trying to avoid big hits.

Why it matters: Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the offensive game plan will follow its established approach. Kansas City enters 2026 after missing the playoffs last season, ending a run of three consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

What to watch: The Chiefs host the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET. Watch how often Mahomes scrambles and whether Kansas City calls designed quarterback runs.