Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid delivered encouraging news Friday about quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the team prepares for the start of training camp.
Reid told reporters that Mahomes has received full medical clearance to take part in all activities once practices begin. Training camp opens July 29 with the first session scheduled for 9:15 a.m. CT.
“Mahomes has been cleared to participate fully” and can “do all the different periods that we have in this camp,” Reid said, according to Chiefs senior team reporter Matt McMullen. The coach added that the staff will continue monitoring the quarterback on a day-to-day basis.
Mahomes, who has been recovering from major knee surgery, reinforced the positive update later that day. He shared a clock emoji on social media, a signal he has used before to indicate readiness.
The injury occurred Dec. 14, 2025, during a Week 15 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee, an injury that ended his season and the Chiefs’ playoff chances that afternoon.
Surgery took place the following evening in Dallas. Dr. Dan Cooper handled the procedure to repair both ligaments.
The team released a statement shortly after: “Patrick Mahomes successfully underwent surgery in Dallas this evening with Dr. Dan Cooper to repair the tear in his left ACL.” Officials added that “Mahomes will begin his rehab process immediately.”
A standard recovery timeline for a torn ACL runs about nine months. That schedule would have pointed toward a mid-September return, potentially missing the first few weeks of the 2026 season. Mahomes has progressed faster than expected, taking part in organized team activities this spring and aiming for a Week 1 start.
Friday’s clearance from Reid marks the strongest indication yet that the three-time Super Bowl champion remains on track for that early return. Seven months after the operation, the quarterback appears ready to resume full participation.
The Chiefs endured a difficult 2025 campaign, finishing 6-11 and third in the AFC West. It marked their first losing record since 2012 and the first time they missed the postseason since 2014. For Mahomes, it was the first time in his career the team failed to reach the playoffs.
Before the injury cut his year short, Mahomes completed 315 of 502 passes for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 14 starts. His passer rating of 89.6 sat well below his career average of 100.8. He still contributed 422 rushing yards and five rushing scores, showing his mobility remained intact even as the offense struggled at times.
Now a full training camp awaits. Mahomes gets the chance to rebuild timing and chemistry with his receivers after months of limited work. The coaching staff and players view his presence as essential to bouncing back from last season’s disappointment.
Reid’s comments leave little doubt about the quarterback’s current status. While the team plans careful management in the early days of camp, the green light for unrestricted participation removes previous questions about how much Mahomes would be able to do.
The focus shifts to execution on the practice field. For a franchise that reached three consecutive Super Bowls before last year’s slide, having its star quarterback fully available represents a major step forward.
Mahomes has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic players. A clean path through camp would allow him to continue that trajectory and help the Chiefs reclaim their place among the conference’s top contenders.
