The Kansas City Chiefs’ season has come to an end, and attention now shifts fully to the offseason. Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft—where the Chiefs hold the 9th overall pick—will dominate conversations in the coming months. However, one topic that may overshadow all offseason buzz is the ongoing status of Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes suffered a significant injury last month during Kansas City’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, tearing both his ACL and LCL. He underwent successful surgery shortly after the injury, but questions remain about whether he will be ready to start the 2026 season this September.
When asked about a timeline for Mahomes’ return over the weekend, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy declined to provide specifics. However, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid offered an update during a Monday interview wrapping up the season.
According to Nate Taylor of ESPN, Reid stated:
> “He’s doing great for just being 3 weeks out. He’ll go ahead and most likely stay up here (in KC) rehabbing. He has a lot of trust in (Julie Frymyer). He’s been in there grinding.”
### Mahomes ‘Doing Great’ Given the Injury
This positive update is certainly encouraging news for Chiefs fans, many of whom feared the worst given the severity of the injury. ACL tears typically require a recovery timeline of 9 to 12 months. On the optimistic end, this timeline would have the former Texas Tech standout ready to take the field by Week 1 or Week 2 of the 2026 season.
Both scenarios would represent a win for Mahomes and the Chiefs’ medical staff. However, if complications arise during rehabilitation or if his body doesn’t heal as quickly as hoped, it’s possible Mahomes could miss more than half of the upcoming season.
A potential silver lining for the Chiefs is Mahomes’ position on the field. Compared to players who demand greater lower-body mobility—such as Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons, who also tore his ACL on the same weekend—Mahomes’ throwing position may allow for a less strenuous recovery process.
### Will the Chiefs Look for Another QB in the Offseason?
Few would seriously suggest that the Chiefs are looking to replace Mahomes anytime soon. However, his injury, combined with a recent knee injury to veteran backup Gardner Minshew, forced the team to rely on Chris Oladokun, who passed for just 235 yards across the final three games of the season.
Given this, the draft—especially the mid to late rounds—could be an opportunity for Kansas City to select a quarterback to serve as Mahomes’ backup for the coming years. Additionally, should there be setbacks in Mahomes’ rehab, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Chiefs pursue a seasoned, reliable backup quarterback in free agency to provide extra depth.
As the offseason progresses, Chiefs fans will be closely monitoring Mahomes’ recovery updates while keeping an eye on how the team plans to fortify its roster moving forward.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/andy-reid-update-patrick-mahomes-rehab/