The Kansas City Chiefs may be without QB Patrick Mahomes to start the 2026 season. Mahomes is reportedly ahead of schedule as he recovers from his season-ending ACL injury. But Kansas City might be without Mahomes in Week 1, which has now been revealed to be an important divisional matchup.
The Chiefs will open the season on Monday Night Football against the Broncos, per ESPN.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo commented what everyone was thinking about Mahomes after the announcement.
“Bo Nix back in regular-season action. We’ll see about Patrick Mahomes,” Garafolo wrote.
At this point in the offseason, there is no telling if Mahomes will be ready to start in Week 1 or not. The last real injury update from the Chiefs on Mahomes came from head coach Andy Reid on May 3rd.
Reid gave an encouraging update, claiming that Mahomes should be on track to participate during Kansas City’s OTAs, which begin on May 26-28.
“He is in a good position to be able to do some things,” Reid said per ESPN’s Nate Taylor. “If he can do some things, [he’ll do it]. Phase 2 [of the offseason program], 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.”
Still, the Chiefs should be careful with their franchise quarterback after last season’s devastating injury. Fans should monitor his health throughout the summer for clues about his potential availability ahead of Week 1.
It will be exciting to see the rest of Kansas City’s schedule later this week. The NFL’s full 2026 schedule drops on Thursday May 14th at 8PM ET.
The Kansas City Chiefs may be without QB Patrick Mahomes to start the 2026 season. Mahomes is reportedly ahead of schedule as he recovers from his season-ending ACL injury. But Kansas City might be without Mahomes in Week 1, which has now been revealed to be an important divisional matchup.