Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs is looking to return for the first week vs. Broncos: ‘I don’t want to miss that game’

Patrick Mahomes continues to look forward to Week 1 in his return from the ACL injury that cut short his 2025 NFL season.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback tore his ACL in Week 15, but remains ahead of schedule in his recovery and hopes to be on the field when the team opens the season on “Monday Night Football” against the AFC West champion Denver Broncos.

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Appearing on Wednesday’s edition of Yahoo Sports Daily, Mahomes told Caroline Fenton that he will give himself every chance to start the season on time.

“That’s my goal,” Mahomes said. “I’ve said that as week 1 starts, I can’t predict the future and I know it’s a long process, it’s not just my decision, but at the same time I’ll give the doctors and trainers every chance I have to allow me to be there in the first week.

“I don’t want to miss that game [against the Broncos] because the team that won the division is gone and you want to go out and be ready to go with your colleagues. I’m going to give everything I can to be there Week 1 and hopefully the doctors and coaches give me the green light and I can go out there with my guys and compete against one of the best teams in the league.”

Just as Mahomes addressed Week 1, he understands that ACL recovery takes time. There are steps to get back to 100% and to get back on the field and perform as well as he has throughout his career he needs to be patient.

“It’s a long process. I think that’s what I’ve learned from this whole thing,” Mahomes said. “So all I can do is be as good as I can be every day. You just have to build on that day and gradually get better and better as the year goes on. I’m excited to get back to training camp. I’m excited to get the guys back. I’ve been in the building in Kansas City by myself. Just get the guys back and get me ready to get on the football field and get me ready for the season.”

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It was a season to forget for the Chiefs, who went 6-11 and missed for the first time since 2014. General manager Brett Veach made changes, inserting Kenneth Walker II at running back and overhauling the team’s defense. Veteran tight end Travis Kelce has also decided to return for another season.

Mahomes, who will turn 31 three days after the Broncos game, has been forced to adjust to watching and not playing. He said he missed the absence of his teammates and that when the season ended it was time for him to focus on 2026.

“After the season ended I had to get back out there and try to do everything I could to be able to participate in OTAs, which I did, and be ready for training camp,” Mahomes said. “I know it’s a long process, but you have these ultimate goals. I’m just trying to achieve those ultimate goals by dominating day by day. We’ve had a good recovery going on the last few months and we’re in a good place. Now we’re just going to try to continue to do that so I’m ready to go when the season comes.”