Adam Schefter Shares Positive Update on Patrick Mahomes' Recovery Timeline

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025.

Without their superstar signal caller at the helm, the Chiefs finished the season with a 6-11 record and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Mahomes’ exact return timeline has yet to be revealed, but there have been several indications that the Kansas City quarterback could be back on the field for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

The Chiefs will kickoff their regular-season schedule with a Monday Night Football matchup against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sep. 14.

“[The Chiefs] have said that [Patrick Mahomes] is way ahead of schedule and it sounds like he is tracking to be ready in time for that Monday night regular-season opener,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said during an appearance with “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday.

“It’s hard to imagine Patrick Mahomes wouldn’t be back for that game. … He’s going to be out there,” Schefter added.

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Chiefs general manager Brett Veach shared a similar outlook for Mahomes during an appearance on the same show earlier this month.

“Because of that hard work, I think he’s pretty far ahead of schedule,” Veach said of Mahomes’ rehab process. “He’s such a motivating presence and an example to the building on how to approach every day like a true professional. I’m excited for him to get back out there.”

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The Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup against the Broncos will kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 10:34 AM.