The Kansas City Chiefs are just a little over two weeks away from kicking off their 2026 NFL season, and it looks like superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a strong chance of suiting up and seeing action for Week 1’s meeting with the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14.
Mahomes went under the knife in December after suffering ACL and LCL injuries in his left knee but has been cleared in July to take part in all training camp activities.
The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player did not appear on the field in any of the Chiefs’ three preseason games, though it was likely just a precautionary measure, as he seemingly remains on track to start for Kansas City against the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
“In my understanding, Patrick Mahomes is on track to start Week 1, which, if you followed closely, the kind of training camp that he has had, this is no surprise,” insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said.
“He was out there on Day 1, and he has hit every check mark, and by all accounts has looked as good on the field, as really as he has had in several years. My understanding is, he’s had a better and more efficient training camp than really he has had in some time.”
The Chiefs are on a mission to reclaim some lost glory after failing to complete a three-peat in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX and missing the NFL playoffs in the 2025 season. Mahomes is a major part of that goal, so his health is of paramount importance for Kansas City, which signed him to an 8-year, $504.75 restructured contract extension in June.
