If you were wondering whether Patrick Mahomes would be his old self following the serious knee injury he suffered exactly nine months ago to the day that the Kansas City Chiefs opened their 2026 season, then rest easy.
The quarterback scored on a 15-yard run to culminate his team’s first offensive drive of the season against the Denver Broncos and, honestly, the zigzagging dash to the end zone that he finished with a dive said something:
He’s baaaack!
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Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before kickoff against the Denver Broncos during an NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Getty Images)
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Look, of course, how the 2026 season ultimately unfolds for the Chiefs, and for what many consider the NFL’s top quarterback, remains to be seen.
But that first drive, with Mahomes showing absolutely no fear of being hit, was a statement that puts the rest of the league on notice.
Mahomes basically let it be known he was not worried about getting hit, and that scramble proved it. He also made it obvious he can maneuver through a defense, gain yardage, do damage, and emerge unscathed.
Even after everything his knee has been through.
Patrick Mahomes No. 15 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to his teammates before kickoff against the Denver Broncos during an NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Getty Images)
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Mahomes, who is turning 31 later this week, did not get hit in organized team activity sessions.
He didn’t get hit in training camp.
He didn’t get hit in the preseason, because he didn’t play in any of the Chiefs’ three games.
He’s been hit this game and so that psychological obstacle is now moot.
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Patrick Mahomes reacts as he leads a huddle against the Denver Broncos during an NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 14, 2026. (Getty Images)
Mahomes is wearing a lightweight brace on his left knee. He has said it does not deter him from moving as he did before his surgery, but he does eventually expect to shed the gear — perhaps as early as late in this season.
Mahomes tore both the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his left knee during the Chiefs’ Dec. 14, 2025, game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
He underwent surgery in Dallas the next day, with doctors repairing the torn ACL and LCL, and began rehabilitation almost immediately.
The exceedingly quick timetable for having the surgery was part of a plan, Mahomes has said. While many doctors urge their player patients to wait until their injury inflammation goes down before having surgery, Mahomes said his doctors urged him to get the surgery before the inflammation took root.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grabs his knee after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
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Mahomes then committed to an intensive recovery program that included roughly seven hours of rehabilitation per day of strength and conditioning work, team meetings and a gradual return to throwing.
Mahomes also stayed in Kansas City to work with the Chiefs’ medical and training staff rather than conducting his usual offseason workouts at home in Texas. After progressing through on-field work, OTAs and training camp, Mahomes was cleared to return without restrictions for the opener.
And one drive in, Mahomes got his team in the end zone – by running it in himself.
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