Patrick Mahomes says the toughest part of his recovery has not been the rehab sessions or the slow return of strength, but the reality of watching the NFL playoffs unfold without him.
For the first time in his career as Kansas City‘s starter, Mahomes is experiencing January football from the couch, a reminder of how abruptly a season and a sense of normalcy can disappear.
The Chiefs quarterback met with reporters this week for the first time since tearing his ACL in a December loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
At the time, Mahomes did not initially realize the severity of the injury and even asked whether he could return to the game.
“Obviously I knew something had happened, but once I was able to walk a little bit I thought I might have a chance to kind of get back into the game,” Mahomes said.
“I asked one of the doctors if I could get a brace and just finish the game, but they wouldn’t let me. It really sunk in after the MRI.”
Now several weeks into his rehabilitation, Mahomes said the process is going well and that his goal is to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Doctors have encouraged patience, but the quarterback admitted he has needed to be held back from pushing too hard too early.
“It sucks watching these games,” Mahomes said. “I want to be out there playing football.”
Owning the mistakes and reshaping the future
The frustration runs deeper than missing the postseason. Kansas City finished 6-11, missing the playoffs for the first time since Mahomes became the starter in 2018.
Statistically, it was one of the least efficient seasons of his career, as he threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with several mistakes coming in critical moments. Mahomes did not shy away from accountability.
“I look at some of the red zone interceptions and the bigger moments in the third and fourth quarter,” he said.
“That’s stuff I haven’t done in the past. We weren’t consistent enough as an offense, and that starts with me.”
Head coach Andy Reid has voiced confidence that Mahomes will rebound physically and mentally, pointing to the quarterback’s track record of responding to adversity.
Mahomes has previously battled high ankle sprains and a knee dislocation earlier in his career, missing just a handful of games over nine seasons.
The coming months will also shape the roster around him. Kansas City could be facing changes on the coaching staff with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy drawing interest for head coaching roles, while questions remain about reinforcements along the offensive line and at skill positions.
Mahomes said whoever joins the staff must bring energy, accountability and fresh ideas.
“I just want someone that loves football and wants to give everything they can to win,” he said. “You have to keep evolving if you want to stay great.”
The quarterback is also realistic about the timeline of ACL recovery, acknowledging that he may have limited on field work during the offseason. Still, his focus remains on being fully healthy when the regular season begins.
Read the full article here
