Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is working his way back from injury, as the two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion tore his ACL towards the end of the 2025 season. While this injury normally requires nine months for a full recovery, the quarterback could be on the field long before that.
According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, head coach Andy Reid recently said that Mahomes could be ready to participate in OTAs. There is still a good bit of time between now and the late May practices, but it goes without saying that this news is music to the ears of Chiefs fans everywhere.
“He is in a good condition to be able to do some things,” Reid said. “If he can do some things, [he’ll do it]. Phase 2, remember, there’s no contact and there’s no offense versus defense. It’s Phase 3 that you get into that…He’s in a position where he can do everything, I think.”
Patrick Mahomes Injury Update: Star QB Could Return For Chiefs OTAs
Let’s start with the obvious: the Kansas City Chiefs will not do anything that could negatively impact Patrick Mahomes in his return from his ACL injury. Quarterback is the most important position in sports, and Mahomes is one of the game’s elite passers. While the Justin Fields trade helped to bolster the backup quarterback position, this team still lives and dies with Mahomes.
As mentioned in the quote above, the Chiefs will not permit contact during OTAs, which means Mahomes won’t be in harm’s way. Even if there was contact, there’s a very, very strong chance Kansas City would put their franchise quarterback in a no-contact jersey.
If the regular season started tomorrow, Patrick Mahomes would probably not be able to play. After all, he’s still just a few months removed from the ACL tear, and the human body simply cannot recover that quickly. However, it’s highly encouraging that Mahomes can do any team-oriented football activities. We’re still a long way from the regular season, but this update shows Mahomes is on the right track and is on pace to suit up in Week 1.
Trials And Tribulations
Returning from the injury is only one hurdle Patrick Mahomes must overcome in 2026. After making it to at least the AFC Championship Game every year since he became the starter, the Chiefs shockingly missed the playoffs in 2025 and finished the season with a top-10 pick. While the injury certainly didn’t help their final record, the Chiefs were all-but eliminated from the playoffs when Patrick Mahomes played his final snap of the season.
Now, the quarterback must help this team return to the playoffs despite losing several key defenders. While running back Kenneth Walker will help bolster the running game, and first-round pick Mansoor Delane should start right away, this team will struggle to adjust to life without Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Leo Chenal. With Travis Kelce getting another year older and first-round pick Xavier Worthy still inconsistent, Mahomes will need to immediately recapture his elite form if this team is to continue its run of dominance in the AFC West.
