Patrick Mahomes Injury Update Emerges After $500 Million News
The Kansas City Chiefs' offseason has been dominated by Patrick Mahomes' recovery from a season-ending knee injury and the franchise's efforts to position itself for a return to contention in 2026. Mahomes continues to work his way back from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered late in the 2025 season.
As Kansas City continues to monitor Mahomes's injury, its front office doubled down on its commitment to the quarterback who transformed the franchise.
On Wednesday, the Chiefs agreed to a historic contract extension with Mahomes, adding two years to his deal and keeping him under contract through the 2033 season. The reworked agreement is valued at $504.75 million, making it the first contract in NFL history to surpass the half-billion-dollar mark. The first four years are guaranteed at signing, and the deal can reach $522.25 million through incentives and escalators.
The contract news arrived alongside another positive development regarding Mahomes' recovery.
According to NFL Network's Stacey Dales, Mahomes is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation process and remains on track for a return during the 2026 season.
"He is on track, he is ahead of pace," Dales said. "And if you know Patrick Mahomes, you understand how driven he is. His goal everyday is, he has said ‘let's just be great today.' He has just started basically running and cutting."
Dales added that a high-ranking Chiefs source told her during the NFL Draft in April that the organization fully expects Mahomes to be available for the regular-season opener.
Patrick Mahomes is well ahead of schedule in his ACL rehabilitation - with much optimism as he and the Chiefs target a 2026 regular season return @nflnetwork#ChiefsKingdompic.twitter.com/aunmDVD4Vu
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) June 12, 2026
This update comes after Andy Reid told reporters that he expects Mahomes to participate in some capacity during training camp (via ESPN's Nate Taylor).
If that timeline holds, Mahomes' return could come on one of the biggest stages of Week 1.
The Chiefs are scheduled to open the season on "Monday Night Football" against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14 at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver swept Kansas City in 2025 for the first time since 2014 and went on to capture its first AFC West title since the Super Bowl-winning 2015 season.
The Broncos also rewarded head coach Sean Payton with a contract extension on Thursday, and he will be eager to kick things off with a win against their divisional rivals.
The matchup would also provide an immediate measuring stick for a revamped Chiefs offense. With Eric Bieniemy back overseeing the offense and some new pieces added around Mahomes this offseason, Kansas City believes it can quickly return to the level that produced three Super Bowl championships.
Based on the latest update, both Mahomes and the Chiefs appear increasingly confident that Week 1 remains a realistic target.
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 8:24 AM.