Patrick Mahomes begins rehab with hope of returning for opening of next season

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.

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.

Rick Burkholder, their vice president of sports medicine and performance, said Wednesday the procedure performed in Dallas by Dr. Dan Cooper on Monday night went well. The operation happened about 24 hours after Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in a loss to the Chargers.

Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs lies on the ground after sustaining an injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday.Jamie Squire / Getty ImagesThe recovery time for such an injury is about nine months, though it could vary by several months depending on various factors. Next season is expected to kick off on September 10, 2026, and the Chiefs could play their first game a few days later.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he's spoken daily with Mahomes since the injury in the closing minutes of Sunday's game.

"He's so positive right now," Reid said. "Like Rick said, he attacked this thing the day of. You wouldn't expect anything less. 'Get me up, get me going,' he's basically saying, an hour after the game. 'Brace me up and let me go.' It's not one of those injuries, obviously, but that's his mindset. I think he'll do great with the rehab. He's a pretty fast healer that way. And his attitude is 90% of things, how you go about it. How you're willing to push through the pain to get right."