Patrick Mahomes says he’ll be himself in Week 1 after knee surgery recovery

The useful part

Sep 10, 2026, 6:30 PM UTC It's always good advice, no matter the circumstance in life, to just be yourself. Within 48 hours of tearing his ACL and LCL last December, Mahomes was through surgery and starting rehabilitation, locking in the mindset to heal as quickly as possible and as early as possible. So when the star quarterback drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos on "Monday Night Football," it shouldn't shock anyone if Mahomes plays like himself.

How it works

• That's how I've always rolled, no matter what it is, and that's probably how I'll be the rest of my career." The 30-year-old gunslinger was driving the point home: he didn't work around the clock all...
• "I'll try not to lay any blocks, hopefully — unless it's needed," Mahomes said.
• "But other than that, I'm going to go out there and be myself and play football.
• Mahomes was kept out of all preseason action because, according to head coach Andy Reid, he was not fully cleared.
• 15's mind when the pocket collapses and no receiver is immediately available.

What to take from it

Mahomes' adrenaline rush to move the chains in a big spot will mask any preconceived worries about his knee. "That's what makes me who I am is that I just love competing," Mahomes reiterated. "But we're here now, and now I get to go out there and be myself." See More:

Example or evidence

• "Playing quarterback is one thing, but you have to love competing to have success in this league." Whether the goal is to get through the day of rehabilitation or get a win over the Broncos, the three-time...
• iOS Android Advertiser Content From This is the title for the native ad More in Kansas City Chiefs News Sep 23 Patrick Mahomes can see defenses respecting the Chiefs' run game Sep 23 Arrowheadlines:
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Details worth keeping

He spoke with local media about the subject ahead of practice on Thursday. "If you saw me in training camp, the moment stuff started happening, I just became a competitor." Whether it was keeping the ball on an option play or attempting to execute a downfield block during practice, the two-time MVP never gave offseason spectators an indication that he would be unavailable for the season opener. We've built up all this strength over the offseason for that, so why not maximize it?" "I'm going to keep myself out of harm's way like I always will, not try to take big hits and stuff like that, but I'm a competitor," Mahomes clarified.

Related coverage

• Ksnt: It is official: Patrick Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium next week for the first game of the 2026 NFL season.
• Fox4kc: It is official: Patrick Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium next week for the first game of the 2026 NFL season.
• Ksn: It is official: Patrick Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium next week for the first game of the 2026 NFL season.