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Patrick Mahomes could be a stranger given the latest update on his torn ACL.
The Chiefs star player tore his ACL on Dec. 14 and underwent surgery — including a repair of his LCL — the next day.
Conventional wisdom would point to a lengthy recovery process that could sideline him for at least half, if not more, of the 2026 NFL season.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports that Mahomes is ahead of schedule and could be ready for the start of the season.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds his knee after injuring it in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers Dec. 14, 2025, Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
“His pain threshold is different, his work ethic is different,” Glazer said on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
So, at first they were like, ‘Oh, you know, the start of the season.’ Maybe I’ll protect her from him [back] faster than that. Far away. Because you just attack things.”
Glazer noted that Mahomes getting surgery soon before his knee swelling is a big reason why he might be ready for the start of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is treated for an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium Dec. 14, 2025, Kansas City, Mo. (Photos by Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn)
“The initial reports were on the edge there, but I want to tell you, Patrick is different,” Glazer added.
“He got (the surgery) before it got inflamed. So, that was on Tuesday. I believe it was Thursday or Friday of that week, he was already in the Chiefs practice room rehabbing. And he had already bent his knee 90 degrees at that time. He’s just different, he’s recovering in a different way.”
We saw that as a theme for athletes who end up crying out loud, when Celtics forward Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in May of last year and could be back on Friday, 10 months later.
The Giants were unable to make a rush for injured receiver Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL on Sept. 28 and did not have surgery until Oct. 28 because of inflammation.
The surprising timeline of Mahomes’ return certainly brings new life to the Chiefs, as many expected Kansas City to restart their salary cap this season with the quarterback out.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Dec. 7, 2025, Kansas City, Mo. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Glazer suggested that the Chiefs will work as if it were normal this season.
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Kansas City had a rough season in 2025, going 6-11 and missing the playoffs for the first time with Mahomes in the lineup.
The Chiefs are in the process of reshaping the team. They traded linebacker Trent McDuffie to the Rams and had the opportunity to re-sign Tyreek Hill as he recovers from injury.
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