Andy Reid addresses remarkable recovery of Patrick Mahomes amid Week 1 goal

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and torn LCL on Dec. 14, 2025, but he nevertheless was fully cleared to participate in training camp practices earlier this summer. 

On Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted that "Mahomes hasn’t missed a first-team rep thus far" in training camp. Breer also spoke with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid about Mahomes' remarkably quick recovery.

Patrick Mahomes "going to do whatever it takes" to return from injury as quickly as possible

"He's going to do whatever it takes," Reid said about Mahomes. "Not that we didn't know that, but that's what this situation was. It wasn't about going back home and going here, going there, traveling, all that. It was about him wanting to be back, ready to play. And so there was a sacrifice there of staying here and knocking it out, working with (Chiefs assistant trainer) Julie [Frymyer] every day and spending seven hours at it—and not always fun, right? But he didn't care. I mean, he was going to do it."

Mahomes insisted that he "feels great" and sometimes even forgets that he's coming off the type of setback that can sideline a QB1 for at least 12 months. Previously, Reid strongly suggested that Mahomes won't play in preseason games.

That said, Mahomes seems to be on track to start the Chiefs' Week 1 "Monday Night Football" home game versus the rival Denver Broncos on Sept. 14.

"It's a great lesson, probably for all the players in the league: When you go into a rehab, go in and attack it," Reid continued. "And then love what you're doing because this thing doesn't last very long for guys. And so, if you're in it for 10 years, you're a lucky cat. But you attack these rehabs, and good things can happen." 

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs trusting each other ahead of Week 1 decision

Mahomes recently acknowledged that he is still trying to "get that okay to go out there and play Week 1." According to Breer, "Reid didn’t want to commit to anything" regarding the Chiefs-Broncos game. 

"Communication is what you have to do," Reid added. "We want what's real from the player. And Pat, he would tell you, Julie is a (physical therapist), she's our P.T. on staff, and so she's done rehabs before. And she would communicate with him, and the docs would communicate with him, and the communication becomes important. But to have the will to do it and trust, that's another thing. And he had that."

How honest Mahomes is about how he is feeling during his chats with Reid could ultimately determine if the three-time Super Bowl MVP is cleared to face the Broncos. As of the morning of Aug. 10, it's difficult to imagine that Mahomes would willingly sit the Denver game out.