When Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap in October 2019, he begged head coach Andy Reid to let him go back in the game for the second half. He only missed two games before returning and winning his first of three Super Bowl rings. It was the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory in 50 years.
In the 2022 NFL playoffs, Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in the first half and only missed one offensive series in the Chiefs’ AFC Divisional win over Jacksonville. He played so well with a high ankle sprain for the rest of the playoffs that conspiracy theorists were out in full force, claiming he faked the injury for cinematic effect. The Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
The ACL and LCL tear Mahomes suffered on Dec. 14 is the most significant injury of his career, but we’ve seen this movie before.
It should come as no surprise that the Chiefs posted several videos showing their two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP back in the pocket at Tuesday’s OTAs, the team’s first of the offseason.
Earlier Tuesday, ESPN’s Nate Taylor reported from the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot that Mahomes “did participate, in some form and fashion” at the opening OTA. Reporters won’t be invited into the Chiefs’ OTAs until Thursday, but the Chiefs didn’t wait to let the public know that Mahomes is looking more and more like his old self.
The Chiefs’ first video, posted across X and Instagram, shows Mahomes taking a snap and dropping back to pass. He’s wearing a clunky brace on his left knee and a leg sleeve, but otherwise, you’d never know he was writhing in pain 163 days ago.
Mahomes commented on Instagram and reposted it on X with his signature clock emoji.
The Chiefs and Mahomes also posted a separate video of Mahomes throwing to their respective Instagram Stories:
Barring any setbacks, this puts to rest any question about whether Mahomes will be ready to start the Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup with the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 14.
Mahomes is doubly motivated heading into 2026. Individually, he’ll want to return to his past MVP form after a devastating injury. The Chiefs also have a dynasty to save. After reaching three straight Super Bowls, Kansas City finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 last season.
But if Mahomes follows a similar script to his past injuries, the 2026 season will end with the Chiefs hoisting another Lombardi Trophy.
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