What happened: Patrick Mahomes and his team are reportedly "leaning into" the possibility of a Week 1 return for the upcoming 2026 season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Mahomes is ahead of schedule in his recovery from reconstructive surgery on his left knee and has already progressed to throwing drills during voluntary workouts.
Why it matters: A Week 1 return would provide a massive boost to an offense that struggled after Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in December 2025. The organizational confidence in his recovery was highlighted yesterday when Mahomes reworked his contract for a record $504 million.
By the numbers: In 14 games prior to his 2025 injury, Mahomes recorded 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also established career highs on the ground with 422 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
What to watch: Mahomes is expected to move into the "cutting" phase of his rehab as training camp approaches in July. The team will monitor his comfort with lateral movements before clearing him for full contact.