Patrick Mahomes is expected to start under center for the Kansas City Chiefs when they open the NFL season against the Denver Broncos on Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium, according to head coach Andy Reid. The reigning two-time MVP returns to action a mere nine months after suffering severe tears to his ACL and LCL during a December matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Road Back to Week 1
Mahomes sustained the knee injury on Dec. 14 during a scramble near the sideline when Los Angeles defensive end Da’Shawn Hand spun him to the ground. Surgery followed the next day in Dallas, prompting an intensive rehabilitation process.
Rather than retreating to his Texas home for the offseason, Mahomes remained in Kansas City to work closely with Chiefs physical therapist Julie Frymyer. He spent his days at the practice facility participating in voluntary workouts and ultimately received full clearance ahead of training camp. While he sat out all three preseason games as part of a cautious medical plan, he did not miss a single practice session.
“He’s shown everything there. He hasn’t missed a day, as you know,” Reid told local reporters. “You guys have seen him out there, so you know what it looks like, him running around and doing his stuff. Other than having a brace on his leg, everything looks normal. He is running around the same way he’s always done, throwing the ball the same way he’s always done.”
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted that his defensive staff has prepared for a fully operational quarterback. “I think we’re looking at it and expecting someone who’s 100%, someone who’s moving well based on what limited footage you get,” Payton said. “Our approach has been pay close attention to what we’ve seen historically film-wise, how we defend not only him but their team.”
Offshore Protection Changes for the Opener
While Mahomes will take the field, his preferred blindside protector is unlikely to join him. Reid characterized left tackle Josh Simmons as a long-shot to play due to a lower back injury that first flared up in mid-August. The Chiefs have opted against placing Simmons on injured reserve, which would force a minimum four-week absence, but his timeline remains fluid.
In Simmons’ absence, undrafted rookie Khalil Benson is expected to start at left tackle. Benson, an undrafted product out of Indiana who originally signed after attending a rookie minicamp, quickly climbed the depth chart during the summer. He now faces the immediate challenge of protecting Mahomes’ blind side against the Denver pass rush.
Roster Context and the Season Ahead
The Chiefs enter the new campaign looking to rebound from a difficult 6-11 season that kept them out of the playoffs entirely. To bolster the offense, Kansas City signed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III from Seattle, while retaining young playmakers like Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton at wide receiver.
Kickoff is scheduled for Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs will look to establish early momentum in the AFC West behind their returning quarterback before turning their attention to subsequent divisional fixtures.
