The Chiefs are going to prepare for Mahomes to return in time for Week 1 of the 2026 season, CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported. Mahomes is almost certainly going to attack his rehabilitation with a maniacal fervor, and it wouldn't necessarily be surprising if he were indeed ready for the start of the year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has begun rehab following surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee, and the team is optimistic the two-time MVP could be back early next season — perhaps even by the time Kansas City plays Week 1.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ stunning fall has turned one of the NFL’s most dominant dynasties into a cautionary tale. Just one season after a 15-2 campaign, the Chiefs are now 6-8 and officially out of playoff contention.

On top of that, and much more importantly, Kansas City lost Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL, meaning Gardner Minshew will be under center for the Chiefs in their final three games of the year. Speaking on the latest episode of New Heights , Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce shared his thoughts on his teammates' injury.

The former NFL defensive lineman and current ESPN analyst lambasted the Chiefs for their failure to protect Mahomes this season.

After Patrick Mahomes arrived in Kansas City in 2017, the Chiefs have made it to the conference championships seven times in a row. But this positive streak is expected to get disrupted in the 2025 season playoffs.