Fans are waiting to see Patrick Mahomes back in action after a lengthy injury layoff. While many are focused on whether the Kansas City Chiefs’ star will be ready, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is more interested in what he’ll look like when he gets back on the field.
Adam Schefter Says Patrick Mahomes’ Return Isn’t the Biggest Question
Discussing Mahomes’ recovery from the torn ACL and LCL injuries that ended his 2025 season in December, Schefter pointed out that the road back might not be simple.
He revealed that the Chiefs believe Mahomes is “ahead of schedule” and that he “sounds like he’s tracking to be ready” for the Monday night season opener against the Broncos.
Still, Schefter was careful to separate availability from performance. “The real question will be not whether he plays, but how effective he’ll be,” he said, pointing to the severity of the injury.
He called it a “significant injury,” even while crediting Mahomes for the progress he’s made. That distinction matters.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator
A torn ACL paired with an LCL injury is no small setback, especially for a quarterback whose game depends on mobility, quick footwork, and improvisation under pressure.
Schefter’s framing suggests the Chiefs could get their franchise player back on schedule, only to watch him operate at something less than his usual level early on.
Mahomes, who scored an impact score of 79.0 in PFN’s QB Impact Metric last season, himself addressed the timeline in May. He maintained a balance between optimism and realism, admitting the road back is far from finished.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
“As a competitor, I want to be out there with my guys,” Mahomes said. “I know that’s still a long ways away.” He explained that he’s been setting checkpoints along the way and hitting them, but stressed the importance of pacing himself rather than rushing the process.
“It’s in God’s control at some point,” he added, “but I’m going to give myself a chance by the way I work to be the best I can be.”
Mahomes was also candid about how he measures readiness. He doesn’t think in terms of percentages. “I know that whenever I get out there on the field and I feel like I can be Patrick Mahomes, I’ll be Patrick Mahomes,” he said.
If Mahomes isn’t ready for Week 1, Kansas City would need to lean on Justin Fields, Chris Oladokun, or rookie Garrett Nussmeier to bridge the gap. None of them offer anything close to Mahomes’ level of play, which is exactly why his recovery is being watched so closely around the league.
Head coach Andy Reid has reportedly been pleased with the progress so far, a reflection of the work Mahomes has put in since undergoing surgery just a day after his injury back in December.
For now, all signs point toward a determined Mahomes doing everything he can to be ready when the lights come on against Denver.
Whether that means the same explosive, dynamic version of himself fans are used to seeing remains the question nobody can answer just yet, including Mahomes.
