NFL
Patrick Mahomes Ahead Of Schedule In Recovery As Chiefs Optimism Builds For 2026
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Los Angeles Chargers v Kansas City Chiefs - NFL 2025 by Jamie Squire | Getty Images
The 2025 season was the ultimate rarity for the team since head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes got together, no division title and not even a playoff appearance.
SportsBoom wouldn’t bank on assuming that’s the case again in 2026.
The buzz around the league, and coming out of Kansas City, is that the future Hall of Fame quarterback attacked his return from season-ending surgery with furry and conviction and is ahead of schedule and consumed with being back for the season opener.
At this point, with that he’s already accomplished, who could bet against him.
If anything, some close to the situation believe Reid might have to hold the start back some and try to keep him from pushing too hard as he returns from surgery to repair his ACL and LCL in his left knee from an injury that occurred late in the regular season.
While much is being made about what Mahomes could do in upcoming spring practices with the Chiefs (Organized Team Activities), the reality is those are glorified walk-throughs and the Chiefs will monitor him closely.
Cause For Optimism
However, members of the coaching staff are telling some of their friends around the league that they are hopeful that Mahomes will be fully cleared early in training camp and on track to play a full season.
Obviously, a setback could always occur, but Mahomes is known for his steely mindset and he has full conviction in making this return as quickly as possible.
The Chiefs are currently +160 to win the AFC West, a number that will drop the more that Mahomes does physically and also if the schedule, to be announced in the next few weeks, appears favorable. Kansas City is also now +750 to make the Super Bowl, the only the third-best odds currently.
Don’t expect Mahomes and Reid to be down for long.
La Canfora has covered over 20 Super Bowls and League Meetings and NFL drafts, building a wide network of sources throughout all aspects of the game. He was an award winning print journalist as well, working at The Detroit Free Press and The Baltimore Sun prior to his first stint at The Washington Post. He has covered sporting events around the world, including two Winter Olympics and all of the 2006 World Cup. He attended his first NFL game in 1978, and would soon kindle what has become a lifelong love and appreciation of the sport. La Canfora is also a professional handicapper, specializing in the NFL, creating a daily sports wagering game show - "Wanna Bet?" He also hosts nationally broadcast NFL radio shows in the US, as well as a daily sports radio show in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.