The Kansas City Chiefs could turn to Russell Wilson as a key short-term option, as Patrick Mahomes continues working toward a full recovery from a major knee injury sustained against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kansas City is expected to rethink parts of its offense after a difficult 2025 NFL campaign that saw them finish third in the AFC West, and with uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position the team may look for experience under center.
The Chiefs finished the season with a 6-11 record, and offensive inconsistency played a major role in the disappointing result across the year as the running game collapses and pass catchers made errors in vital moments.
Their passing attack produced only 3,639 yards and 23 touchdowns overall, with a large amount of those numbers being Mahomes‘ supreme talent and inspired ability to act instinctively, which produced 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns.
However, the situation changed dramatically late in the year when the Chiefs lost their star quarterback during a narrow 16-13 loss to the Chargers.
Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL ligaments in his knee, ending his season as he underwent surgery to fix the damage. The team were forced to depend on an underwhelming Gardner Minshew and inexperienced Chris Oladokun.
Kansas City has not confirmed a firm return timeline, and for that reason, the Chiefs are widely expected to explore veteran options who can stabilize the offense during his recovery.
A steady, experienced hand to guide the Chiefs
That search has led to speculation surrounding Russell Wilson. The experienced quarterback could provide a steady presence if the team decides to bring him in.
Fox Sports analyst Greg Auman suggested that Wilson could be a logical fit for Kansas City, giving the Chiefs could benefit from a proven quarterback until Mahomes is ready to return.
“Go back to 2024, he had 16 touchdowns against five interceptions,” Auman said. “While going 6-5 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that’s the hope for a team that brings him in as a stopgap.”
Wilson‘s recent career has produced mixed results, however, as during his lone season with the New York Giants, the veteran quarterback struggled to find consistent rhythm while attempting to lead the offense.
He finished that stretch with 831 passing yards and a 58 percent completion rate, while also recording three touchdown passes and three interceptions before eventually losing the starting job to Jaxson Dart.
Even so, Wilson still displayed flashes of his earlier form, particularly during an explosive performance against the Dallas Cowboys in which he produced 450 passing yards and three touchdowns in an overtime loss.
Mahomes recovery timeline: When could Chiefs star return?
Mahomes began rehabilitation soon after he underwent surgery to repair his injured knee, and the recovery process is expected to be lengthy.
It may well be several months before he can safely return to the field as ACL injuries typically require about nine to 12 months of physiotherapy.
Although the exact timeline can vary depending on the severity of the damage and the progress of rehabilitation and the individual human and their body, the earliest realistic recovery window would place his return around September 2026.
That timeframe could align with the start of the 2026 NFL season, perhaps not Week 1 but the early stages, although it assumes that his rehabilitation continues smoothly without setbacks and the Chiefs take the risk.
Meanwhile, Mahomes has publicly said his goal is to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, showing confidence that he can return early in the campaign.
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