When Will Patrick Mahomes Return: Recovery Timeline Gets Big Update

Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

When Will Patrick Mahomes Return: Recovery Timeline Gets Big Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Dec 21, 2025 10:00 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs will play their first game of the season without Patrick Mahomes on Sunday. The Chiefs will face the Tennessee Titans with Mahomes sidelined after the two-time NFL MVP suffered a season-ending knee injury in their last game. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee, which required surgery and a lengthy rehab.

Mahomes ended his campaign 315-of-502 passing (62.7%) for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The two-time first-team All-Pro quarterback also had 64 carries in 14 games played for 422 yards and five rushing TDs.

The Chiefs, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, will play their last three games of the regular season without their cornerstone quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks on during a game against the Houston Texans.Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Chiefs have yet to release an official timetable for Mahomes’ return. When they announced his surgery on Wednesday, the team also relayed that the 30-year-old will begin rehab immediately.

Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder, however, provided an estimate on Mahomes’ road to recovery. Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reported that the Chiefs estimate “a nine-month recovery, give or take a month either way.”

Based on this big update from Burkholder, Mahomes should be back by September 2026. If everything goes according to plan, this means the six-time Pro Bowler could be ready for the start of the new NFL season.

For now, however, it’s going to be backup QB Gardner Minshew to start under center on Sunday. The Chiefs go on the road for a Week 16 matchup against the 2-12 Tennessee Titans. Kickoff from Nissan Stadium in Nashville is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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