Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a significant ACL and LCL injury remains one of the defining storylines of the offseason, and Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs continue to project optimism about their franchise quarterback’s progress. Even so, outside evaluators believe the situation requires a more measured outlook.
NFL Insider Urges Patience With Patrick Mahomes’ Comeback Timeline
During a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport was asked which quarterback he expects to start Week 1 for the Chiefs. He made it clear that while Mahomes may be available, the version fans see early in the season could look different.
“My guess is it is going to be Mahomes, but I do not know [what version of] Mahomes we are getting,” Rapoport said. “If at all possible, if he can be on the field, he will be on the field.”
Rapoport said the early stretch of the season could feel unfamiliar as Mahomes works his way back into full form. The LCL is a demanding ligament to rehab, particularly for a quarterback who relies heavily on his legs to create opportunities downfield.
“It will be weird for all of us,” Rapoport added. “Because we are going to see Patrick Mahomes and there is going to probably be a month or however long it is when you are like, ‘I see Patrick Mahomes, but he does not quite look like himself,'”
“And that is okay, but we are going to have to get used to that,” he continued. “Because, you know, the LCL [injury] is really tough. It is a longer recovery. We saw it with Carson Wentz. He never quite came back as the Carson Wentz he was previously.”
The Chiefs’ offense struggled at times last season, but Mahomes was not physically limited before the injury. His 2025 PFSN QB Impact score of 77.2, which ranked 17th among quarterbacks, reflected the broader inconsistency of the unit rather than any decline in Mahomes’ individual performance.
Kansas City spent the offseason reinforcing the roster and exploring ways to create a more stable environment around its quarterback. The organization remains confident that even a ramping-up version of Mahomes will keep the Chiefs firmly in the AFC race, though the timeline for him to regain peak form is uncertain.
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“It does take some time,” Rapoport added. “A lot of the reasons they tried to improve the offensive line and signed Kenneth Walker III, one is because they will need reinforcements until Mahomes comes back. So, my guess is he’s back. I just don’t know if he is going to be the Mahomes we are used to right away.”
The Chiefs have handled difficult stretches before, but this recovery represents one of the most delicate moments of the Mahomes era. The expectation in the Chiefs building is that he starts Week 1, but Rapoport is warning everyone to keep expectations in check.
