Patrick Mahomes has provided an update on his health status following the Chargers vs Chiefs’ brawl

Patrick Mahomes Provides Health Update After Chargers–Chiefs Brawl, Focused on Recovery and a Return for Week One

Kansas City, Mo. — In the aftermath of a bruising and emotionally charged matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, much of the NFL world has been asking the same question: How is Patrick Mahomes doing?

On Tuesday, the Chiefs’ superstar quarterback finally provided answers.

Speaking publicly for the first time since suffering a knee injury during the heated Chargers–Chiefs contest, Mahomes addressed reporters with a mix of honesty, optimism, and trademark competitiveness. While the injury initially sparked alarm among fans and analysts alike, Mahomes’ update offered reassurance — along with a clear message: his focus is already on getting back to the field, but doing it the right way.

A Scary Moment in a Heated Game

The game itself was already intense before Mahomes went down. The rivalry between the Chargers and Chiefs had reached a boiling point, with playoff implications, physical play, and tempers flaring throughout the afternoon.

Midway through the contest, Mahomes absorbed a hard hit while scrambling, collapsing to the turf and clutching his knee. Arrowhead Stadium fell silent as cameras zoomed in on the Chiefs quarterback grimacing on the ground. Though he briefly attempted to continue, medical staff soon escorted him to the sideline and eventually to the locker room for further evaluation.

“I knew something had happened,” Mahomes recalled. “Once I was able to walk a little bit, I thought I might have a chance to get back in the game. I even asked if I could get a brace and finish it.”

The answer was no.

That decision, made in the heat of the moment, may have been difficult for Mahomes — but it reflects an organizational philosophy that has become central to the Chiefs’ sustained success.

Diagnosis and Early Recovery

Subsequent medical evaluations revealed damage to both Mahomes’ ACL and LCL. While the diagnosis was serious, Mahomes emphasized that the injury was “as clean as it could be,” with no additional complications that could have prolonged his recovery timeline.

“There’s a lot of little things around the knee that could have gone wrong,” he said. “I was lucky enough that none of those happened.”

Mahomes has since undergone surgery and has already begun the rehabilitation process in Kansas City, working closely with the team’s medical and training staff. According to the quarterback, rehab is progressing smoothly.

“Rehab’s been going great so far,” Mahomes said. “I’m hitting all the checkpoints the doctor wants — getting the strength back, the range of motion back. I want to push it every day, but they kind of have to hold me back sometimes.”

That balance — between urgency and caution — has become a recurring theme in Mahomes’ recovery.

Eyeing Week One, But Taking It Day by Day

Despite the severity of the injury, Mahomes has not backed away from an ambitious goal: being ready to play in Week One of the 2026 NFL season.

“That’s my goal,” he said plainly. “The doctor said I could be, but you can’t predict everything throughout the process. I’m just trying to prepare myself to be ready and have no restrictions.”

While Mahomes hopes to participate in offseason activities such as OTAs and training camp, he acknowledged that his availability will ultimately depend on how his knee responds.

“It’s a long process,” he admitted. “But I’m excited for it.”

Head coach Andy Reid echoed that sentiment, reinforcing that the organization will prioritize Mahomes’ long-term health over short-term gains.

“Patrick’s a warrior,” Reid said. “He always wants to be out there, but our job is to make sure he’s safe.”

Mental Reps and Leadership from the Sideline

If Mahomes is limited physically during parts of the offseason, he plans to stay fully engaged mentally.

“Being in the room is huge,” he said. “When I can’t take reps, I’ll take mental reps — watching plays develop, staying involved.”

Mahomes pointed to his experience early in his career, when learning from the sidelines helped prepare him to eventually take over as the team’s starter. He believes that approach will once again be valuable.

“Not every day is going to feel amazing,” he said. “But I want to get the most out of every single day.”

Reflecting on a Disappointing Season

The injury also provided Mahomes with time to reflect on the Chiefs’ 2025 campaign, which fell short of the team’s championship expectations.

“I look at some of the mistakes I made — red-zone interceptions, plays in big moments,” Mahomes said. “That’s stuff I hadn’t done in the past.”

He emphasized that the offense showed flashes of dominance but lacked consistency throughout games and across the season.

“We had stretches where we played really good football,” he said. “But we’ve got to be better, and that starts with me.”

Mahomes acknowledged that opposing teams have adapted to Kansas City’s success, studying film extensively and developing game plans specifically designed to neutralize the Chiefs’ strengths.

“We have to find ways to counter that,” he said. “To evolve.”

Coaching Changes and the Road Ahead

Adding to the offseason uncertainty is the potential departure of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who is reportedly drawing interest for head coaching positions.

“I love Coach Nagy,” Mahomes said. “He’s helped me a lot as a quarterback and as a person. If he gets another opportunity, I hope the best for him.”

Regardless of staff changes, Mahomes expressed confidence in Andy Reid’s leadership and the organization’s ability to adapt.

“If you want to stay great in this league, you have to keep evolving,” he said.

Family, Perspective, and Motivation

Beyond football, Mahomes acknowledged the mental toll of a major injury — and the importance of perspective.

“Some days you want to crush rehab,” he said. “Some days you just want to get through it. The people around me won’t let me have those ‘get through it’ days.”

He credited his wife, children, and the Chiefs’ training staff for keeping him grounded and motivated.

“I can’t throw the kids around like I usually do,” he said with a smile. “But being around family helps a lot.”

A Familiar Mindset

For Chiefs fans, Mahomes’ update was both reassuring and familiar. It reflected the same mindset that has defined his career — relentless competitiveness tempered by trust in the process.

“I want to get back as quickly as possible,” he said. “But I want to do it the right way.”

As the NFL offseason unfolds, one thing is clear: Patrick Mahomes may be sidelined for now, but his focus, leadership, and determination remain firmly intact. And if his recovery goes as planned, the Chiefs’ No. 15 fully expects to be back under center when the season begins — ready once again to chase championships.