Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes begins rehab after knee surgery with eye on Week 1 return in 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has begun rehab following surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee, and the team is optimistic the two-time MVP could be back early next season — perhaps even by the time Kansas City plays Week 1.

Rick Burkholder, their vice president of sports medicine and performance, said Wednesday the procedure performed in Dallas by Dr. Dan Cooper on Monday night went well. The operation happened about 24 hours after Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in a loss to the Chargers.

The recovery time for such an injury is about nine months, though it could vary by several months depending on various factors. Next season is expected to kick off Sept. 10, 2026, and the Chiefs could play their first game a few days later.

“Every player is different. Every sport is different. Every position is different,” Burkholder said. “(Mahomes) is so in tune to what he does, he does it a little quicker. Ballpark on this is nine months, but it could be a month or two more, a month or two less.”

The loss to the Chargers eliminated the Chiefs from postseason contention, en...