Coach's latest: starting status barring setbacks
Andy Reid told reporters Tuesday that Patrick Mahomes will start Monday night's Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos barring any setbacks. "There's a pretty good chance Patrick will go ahead and start, unless something were to come up here in the next couple days," Reid said, adding that "most likely, he'll be the guy out there."
Reid described the player's physical appearance as encouraging: "Other than having a brace on his leg, everything looks normal. He's running around the same way he's always done." Reid closed the update with a vote of confidence while preserving caution: "I think he'll be fine there."
Recovery timeline, practice clearance and team context
The player sustained tears to his ACL and LCL in Week 15 of the 2025 season and underwent surgery in December to repair the ligaments. Rehabilitation has progressed through the offseason, and he was cleared to fully participate in practice before training camp. He has not missed a single practice since camp began, and team staff say the rehab has gone according to plan.
The prospect of his return is notable for the Kansas City Chiefs, who struggled down the stretch after the injury—losing their final six games and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Yahoo! News projects that the expected return ahead of Week 1 is a major boost for the organization as it seeks to rebound in 2026.
Because of the anticipated start, roster questions remain elsewhere on the offense. RealGM projects the primary outstanding issue is who will start at left tackle to protect the quarterback's blind side, a position the staff will need to settle in the days before kickoff.
What Reid's timeline means for Monday
Reid framed the Week 1 decision as contingent on no last-minute developments. With the opener just days away, his update sets the expectation that the quarterback will take the field while leaving room for any unforeseen setback.
The combination of a cleared practice status, a full offseason rehabilitation program and Reid's public comments creates a clear path to a Week 1 start — provided the few remaining days before kickoff bring no complications.
