Patrick Mahomes Aims to Play in Week 1 After Knee Injury Recovery

The last time we saw Patrick Mahomes on an NFL field he was limping off with a season-ending knee injury. But as he begins to ramp up preparations for training camp, fans are wondering whether he'll be ready for Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Mahomes was asked if his goal is to play in Week 1, to which Mahomes quickly replied that it is. He made it clear that his goal is to play every single game, but his focus at the moment is taking things "day by day" as he recovers.

"That's always going to be the goal," Mahomes said. "I don't want to miss games. I mean, as a competitor, as a football player, I want to be there. I know it's still a long ways away. I can't predict the future. So, all I can do is be great today and then continue to be great tomorrow. But I've gotten to where I've gotten to because of that mindset. The goal at the end - the very far end - is to be ready and to able to go out there and play with the guys Week 1 at Arrowhead. But I've got to take it day by day."

Ready to Go?

The answer really isn't much of a surprise given what we've seen and heard out of Chiefs camp for most of the offseason.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that he was very impressed by what he's seen from Mahomes amid his recovery.

"I like what I've seen," Reid said. "This is good for him, getting out there and throwing - it's good rehab, continued rehab, so he keeps a feel with the receivers. He's doing partial practice. But it's important. It's important to keep his timing up.

"He's busted his tail to put himself in this position. Most guys wouldn't be able to do this. But he's put himself in that position. I know we've had good communication with the doctors, and they keep a close eye on it - what's real and what's not real. And then we listen to them."

"Yeah, I mean, I wanted to play," Mahomes said of his rehab progress. "I don't want to miss games as much as possible. I know it's not in my control. It's in God's control at some point. But I'm going to give myself a chance by the way I work to be the best I can be.

"And so, I'm in a good spot now compared to where some people thought [I might be]. But I thought I was going to be here. So, it's just doing what I'm supposed to be doing every single day. And hopefully, that gives me the chance to be out there with the guys whenever we start the season."

Mahomes is certainly determined to be there at Arrowhead in Week 1. Whether he'll be the same player that has dominated the league for most of the last decade, we'll find out in a little over three months.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 1:58 PM.