Eric Bieniemy did not need long to notice that Patrick Mahomes is approaching rehabilitation the same way he approaches fourth quarters.
Since returning to Kansas City, the offensive coordinator’s clearest early impression has been the quarterback’s relentless competitiveness as he works his way back from a devastating knee injury.
Bieniemy‘s homecoming was designed to bring fresh perspective to the Kansas City Chiefs offense, but his attention has naturally gravitated toward the franchise cornerstone.
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Watching Mahomes day to day, the coach has been reminded why the quarterback sets the emotional tone for the entire organisation.
“Just having an opportunity to see him go through his rehab process,” Bieniemy said according to Essentiallysports. “The thing I love about Pat, which I have always loved, is his competitive spirit. He’s so fired up. If Pat could come out there and do whatever he can tomorrow, he would show it off and be ready to roll.”
Mahomes tore both his ACL and LCL in Week 15 after taking a hit that caused his knee to buckle awkwardly.
The injury not only shut him down for the remainder of the year, but also closed the door on Kansas City‘s playoff hopes, with the Chiefs eliminated shortly thereafter.
Mahomes underwent surgery in December and has spent the bulk of his rehabilitation back in Kansas City.
“Obviously, I think long term, I want to be ready for Week 1,” Mahomes said. “The doctor said that I could be, but I can’t predict what’s going to happen throughout the process. But that’s my goal. And so I’ll try to prepare myself to be ready to play in that Week 1 and have no restrictions.”
Confidence meets caution as Kansas City looks ahead
That confidence, however, runs into medical reality. Late-season ACL injuries are notoriously difficult to manage, particularly when multiple ligaments are involved.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has warned that September comebacks often prove far more complicated than initial timelines suggest, even for elite athletes with access to top-level care.
Still, Mahomes‘ mindset is familiar to anyone who has followed Kansas City‘s recent success. The Chiefs have not always been flawless, but they have been resilient.
In 2024, they went 12-0 in one-score games, repeatedly leaning on Mahomes‘ refusal to blink when margins were thin. That same mentality has carried straight into his recovery.
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