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Arrowhead Pride fantasy football takes on Patrick Mahomes
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Arrowhead Pride about Patrick Mahomes.
80
Insights
39
Positive
13
Negative
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All Arrowhead Pride insights about Patrick Mahomes
PositiveInjurySep 12, 2026
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was a full participant in Thursday, Friday, and Saturday's practice despite a knee injury, entering Monday evening without a listed game status; available for Week 1 Monday Night Football against Denver.PositiveInjurySep 11, 2026
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (Knee) was a full participant in Thursday and Friday's practice despite a knee injury, indicating he is healthy and available for Week 1 against Denver.NegativeProjectionSep 11, 2026
Mahomes returns from knee surgery for his first game of the 2026 season against a top-3 Broncos defense that blitzed 29% of the time last season (sixth-highest in NFL) and features elite pass rushers including Nik Bonitto (27.5 sacks over two seasons), Zach Allen, and Jonah Elliss; offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy emphasized "Protect, protect, protect" as the offensive priority, signaling heightened pass protection demands and potential for increased pressure situations in Mahomes' first action post-surgery.NegativeMatchupSep 11, 2026
Mahomes faces a Denver defense with the best secondary in the NFL led by the league's best cornerback; the key to containing Mahomes will be Denver's ability to stop Kenneth Walker's running game, as stopping the run limits Kansas City's play-action opportunities and forces Mahomes to operate without favorable conditions created by a balanced offensive attack.NegativeProjectionSep 11, 2026
Patrick Mahomes is expected to see his first game action on Monday since tearing multiple knee ligaments in December. Mahomes expressed trust in the offensive line despite the potential downgrade with undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson starting at left tackle, stating "you've got to roll" and "it's next man up." Mahomes emphasized that the coaching staff's decision to start Benson reflects the team's confidence in the rookie's preparation and work ethic, and that he trusts whoever the coaches put on the field to execute when plays need to be made.PositiveInjurySep 11, 2026
Mahomes tore his ACL late in the 2025 season but attacked his rehab aggressively during the offseason and is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Broncos. ESPN's Graziano notes that while left tackle Josh Simmons' injury gives some pause, there is reason to believe the Chiefs' offense will be better around Mahomes in his return.PositiveInjurySep 10, 2026
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is cleared to start in Week 1 against Denver according to head coach Andy Reid, and sounds ready to roll.PositiveProjectionSep 10, 2026
Mahomes, cleared to play Week 1 after ACL/LCL surgery in December, expressed confidence he will play like himself against Denver on Monday Night Football. The two-time MVP completed offseason rehabilitation and preseason training camp without limitation, demonstrating full competitive engagement in practice drills including option plays and downfield blocks. Mahomes stated: "I think it's going to be hard for me to not just be myself once I step on the field" and emphasized his mindset to maximize his rebuilt strength rather than operate as a limited version. Head coach Andy Reid held him out of all preseason action pending full medical clearance, which has now been granted. Mahomes' competitive nature and adrenaline in high-leverage moments are expected to override any residual knee concerns when the pocket collapses.PositiveProjectionSep 10, 2026
The source projects Mahomes will return from an ACL tear and exceed FanDuel's season-long passing yards over/under of 3,600.5 yards, predicting 4,800 yards passing, 29 passing touchdowns, and a career-high 70% completion percentage.PositiveProjectionSep 10, 2026
Mahomes is inching closer to seeing the field after injury recovery, which raises the ceiling for a Chiefs team looking to bring its familiar magic back to Arrowhead in 2026; his return is a key factor in Kansas City's ability to contend for the AFC playoff picture.NegativeProjectionSep 9, 2026
Mahomes has the ninth-lowest MVP odds at +1700, indicating he is a longer-shot candidate compared to Burrow, Herbert, and Allen.NegativeRoleSep 9, 2026
Patrick Mahomes is coming off an ACL injury, which is context for why the Chiefs will need to lean heavily on the run game early in the season; the source cites depth issues at offensive tackle and inconsistency from pass catchers as additional reasons the team will emphasize the running back rotation.PositiveInjurySep 9, 2026
Patrick Mahomes is expected to start the Kansas City Chiefs' season opener Monday against the Denver Broncos despite undergoing surgery in December to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. Since the Chiefs' offseason began, Mahomes has made it his mission to be in uniform for Week 1. Although he was held out of the preseason, Mahomes has not missed any of the Chiefs' practices since the start of training camp, when he was cleared in late July to participate in all football activities.PositiveInjurySep 8, 2026
Patrick Mahomes will start Week 1 against Denver after suffering multiple torn ligaments in December. Reid stated: "There's a pretty good chance Patrick will go ahead and start, unless something were to come up in the next couple of days. Most likely, he'll be the guy that's out there." Mahomes has met every recovery threshold; he hasn't missed a day of practice, runs and throws normally, and requires only a leg brace. Reid confirmed: "He's shown everything, there. He hasn't missed a day…Other than having a brace on his leg, everything looks normal. He's running around the same way he's always done and throwing the ball the way he's always done."NegativeMatchupSep 8, 2026
Two-time MVP will be in his first live action since a devastating knee injury last December; did not take any preseason snaps. Mahomes will potentially face Denver's Nik Bonitto (86% right edge alignment last season) with rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle, a position Benson has never played at the NFL or college level, creating significant pass protection uncertainty in Week 1.PositiveProjectionSep 8, 2026
Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes is expected to play in Week 1 against the AFC West opponent on Monday Night Football. Reid stated: 'There's a pretty good chance Patrick will go ahead and start, unless something were to come up here in the next couple of days. Most likely, he will be the guy that's out there.' Mahomes has not missed practice time and is performing normally; Reid noted 'He hasn't missed a day… other than having a brace on his leg; everything looks normal. He's running around the same way he has always done and throwing the ball like he has always done.'NegativeInjurySep 8, 2026
There is valid concern regarding left tackle Josh Simmons' status, which creates uncertainty for Mahomes' safety and performance in Week 1. Additionally, FOX Sports raises a key question about whether Mahomes will be the same superstar after his ACL surgery, noting the Chiefs' ranking could rise or fall quickly based on his early-season performance.PositiveProjectionSep 8, 2026
Despite suffering an ACL tear in mid-December, Mahomes is expected to start Week 1 for the Chiefs, a remarkable recovery timeline. Multiple power rankings (NFL.com, The Athletic, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports) highlight his return as a stabilizing factor for Kansas City's 2026 outlook. The Athletic projects a 9.6 win total and notes it would be wise not to bet against Mahomes despite the injury. Yahoo! Sports draws a parallel to 2020 when Mahomes had 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in his first four games without preseason action, though he did not play in the preseason this year as the Chiefs played it safe with his recovery.NegativeProjectionSep 6, 2026
In Madden simulation, Mahomes posted 4,567 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with 60% completion over a full 2027 season; he finished third in the NFL in passing yards behind Dak Prescott (4,739) and Justin Herbert (4,709), though the Chiefs finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.PositiveInjurySep 5, 2026
Broncos head coach Sean Payton stated he 'doesn't expect any limitations on Sept. 14' for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who is preparing for the season opener after offseason leg surgery. Payton emphasized the need to prepare for Mahomes at his best—in the pocket, on extended plays, and running—indicating no expected restrictions on his mobility or performance in Week 1.PositiveProjectionSep 4, 2026
Mahomes returns from injury in Week 1 against Denver with high motivation expected; source projects this as a low-scoring divisional game decided by a field goal, with Chiefs favored. By Week 8, source expects Mahomes to be back or close to 100% health. In Week 12 matchup against Josh Allen, source invokes historical pattern: Bills win regular season, Chiefs win postseason. In Week 13 against Rams' Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett, source expects Mahomes to face significant pressure ('running for his life').PositiveProjectionSep 4, 2026
An NFL executive ranking the Chiefs third expressed confidence in Mahomes' health and the team's win projection, stating "Yeah, Andy Reid and a healthy Patrick Mahomes? I'll take my chances with them coming away with 11 wins." This projection barely exceeds Vegas' 10.5 win total for Kansas City. However, another exec ranking the Chiefs fifth expressed skepticism about Mahomes' health status post-knee injury, saying "We know Mahomes is good, but I don't know how healthy he is," creating uncertainty around his 2025 availability and impact.NegativeProjectionSep 3, 2026
Mahomes is tasked with leading a dominant passing attack after a devastating knee injury; the source notes that with Mahomes at quarterback, everything feels possible as long as he's on the field, but worries the Chiefs might need a dominant pass game to reach the Super Bowl, suggesting elevated expectations despite injury recovery concerns.PositiveProjectionSep 3, 2026
Xavier Worthy reported that Mahomes is fully back from his knee injury, emphasizing his determination and work ethic during offseason rehab. Worthy stated 'He's back' and 'It's not potentially back,' highlighting Mahomes' grind and will-to-win that leads the team.NegativeInjurySep 3, 2026
Mahomes is coming off a knee injury and may have reduced scrambling ability; he averaged a career-high 30.1 rushing yards per game last season, but that mobility option that helped the Chiefs escape difficult situations may not be as available to him this year.NegativeInjuryAug 29, 2026
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes's health status heading into the regular season remains a question; the source questions whether he is truly 100% ready to play.PositiveProjectionAug 28, 2026
The return of quarterback Patrick Mahomes from his first major injury (torn left ACL) creates early-season intrigue for the 2026 season. The source notes that the Chiefs' offense has relied on Mahomes overcoming rather than executing to win in recent years, raising the question of whether the Chiefs' offense can return to a fun, explosive brand of football with his recovery.NegativeInjuryAug 27, 2026
Mahomes is attempting to return in less than a calendar year from a serious knee injury, which is the biggest X-factor for the 2026 Chiefs. The central question is whether he will look like himself after the devastating knee injury.NegativeRoleAug 26, 2026
Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains uncleared to play in live games and is serving as scout-team quarterback during preseason Week 3 practice. Reid noted: 'He's looked good during the practices. This week, he was the scout-team quarterback; pretty good scout-team quarterback. He's looked strong, and obviously, his attitude is right.'PositiveRoleAug 26, 2026
Ranked #1 most indispensable Chief for 2026. As long as Mahomes is on the team, he will be the most important player on the roster; he's the engine of the entire passing offense. With pass-catching talent deteriorated, it's more on Mahomes to make incredible plays happen to sustain an efficient offense. The run game will be better in 2026, but it's still all on Mahomes for the Chiefs to drive the passing offense. How he plays post-injury will determine how far the team goes.PositiveProjectionAug 26, 2026
Patrick Mahomes is on track to start Week 1 after recovering from December knee surgery. In practice, he has continued to increase his mobility, working on footwork within the pocket and scrambling during 11-on-11 repetitions. Mahomes stated: 'Being able to go out there, day after day, and have the grind of a camp, that can even be harder than the [regular] season. It's been awesome for me to be able to do that. It's exciting. I didn't know if I was going to have to take days off, but my body has responded the right way. Honestly, the more we practice, the better I feel.' His body has responded well to the training camp grind, and he is nearing clearance to play in Week 1.NegativeInjuryAug 25, 2026
Mahomes' playing status for Week 1 against Denver on Sept. 14 remains undecided as of the source's publication. He tore his ACL and LCL approximately nine months prior and has expressed desire to play in the season opener, stating 'I'm going to be ready to go for that first game of the year, God willing,' but medical clearance is the deciding factor. Andy Reid says Mahomes is 'doing great,' but whether he will be medically cleared exactly nine months post-injury is uncertain.NegativeProjectionAug 25, 2026
Mahomes has a 65% career win rate in one-score games (decided by seven points or fewer), which is the benchmark the source identifies as potentially pushing Kansas City back atop the AFC West in 2026. The source notes that winning about 65% of such games 'might push Kansas City back atop the AFC West,' establishing this as a key performance threshold for the season.PositiveInjuryAug 24, 2026
Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes is progressing well from his left knee injury and expressed strong readiness to play. When asked about preseason Week 3 availability against Seattle, Reid said 'He's doing great; we'll just see' pending medical clearance. Mahomes stated in an in-game interview 'I feel great … I really wanted to play today … I'll wait until Coach Reid lets me go, but I'm ready … I'll be trying to play next week … I'm going to be ready to go for that 1st game of the year, God willing.' Reid confirmed Mahomes' eagerness, noting 'He wants to play every weekend,' indicating no lingering concerns about the knee injury heading into the regular season.PositiveProjectionAug 23, 2026
Chiefs QB returning from torn ACL has not yet played in preseason but spoke on the sideline about his return; stated he is 'extremely confident' he'll play against the defending AFC West champion Broncos in Week 1, barring any setbacks; also indicated he tried to play in the preseason game but that decision was not his to make.NegativeInjuryAug 23, 2026
Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was ruled out for Saturday's preseason game as the Chiefs continue monitoring his recovery from a major knee injury suffered in December.NegativeUsageAug 21, 2026
Mahomes has averaged approximately 600 pass attempts per season in recent years. The source uses this context to explain why target allocation is tight for lower-tier receivers like Cyrus Allen despite the Chiefs' overall passing volume.NegativeProjectionAug 21, 2026
The source expresses skepticism about the Chiefs' 2026 bounce-back prospects despite Mahomes' late-season injury last year. While the team lost multiple one-score games, the source was unimpressed by overall team performance even before the injury; the team ranked 15th in DVOA, Mahomes ranked 21st in the league in completion percentage over expected, and the defense ranked 12th in EPA and 14th in success rate. The source made a case for betting on the UNDER 10.5 wins for the Chiefs.PositiveProjectionAug 20, 2026
Mahomes is heading into his 10th NFL season with Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo still in place, anchoring the Chiefs' rebuild effort. The quarterback specifically praised Nohl Williams' development, indicating confidence in the secondary's trajectory and the team's ability to compete despite significant roster turnover.NegativeInjuryAug 20, 2026
Star quarterback will not play in preseason Week 2 against Tampa Bay; status for Week 3 against Seattle remains uncertain. Reid deferred on Mahomes' availability timeline, saying 'We'll see how it goes.'NegativeProjectionAug 20, 2026
Mahomes signed a record-setting contract extension in June 2026 that will pay him over half a billion dollars through 2033, making him the highest-paid player in the league. The Chiefs' front office, led by cap guru Chris Shea, has structured their salary cap planning around Mahomes' elite status and long-term certainty at quarterback, which allows them to allocate remaining resources with stability and predictability for future roster moves.NegativeProjectionAug 18, 2026
Mahomes ranked No. 18 on the 2026 NFL Top 100 Players list, down significantly from No. 5 last year; the source notes this represents a notable drop in his annual ranking despite continued elite performance and leadership.NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes did not play in the preseason game, consistent with the Chiefs' typical approach of resting star players during the preseason.NegativeRoleAug 16, 2026
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was dressed on the sideline but did not enter the game in the preseason Week 1 contest against the Rams, consistent with typical starter rest in exhibition play.PositiveInjuryAug 15, 2026
Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is working his way back from a serious knee injury suffered in December. Though he will not play in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, Mahomes is going through normal preparation as if he were playing; he was on the sideline in full pads and uniform during warmups, and notably threw before the game with his knee brace removed, indicating progressive recovery and confidence in his knee stability.PositiveProjectionAug 14, 2026
The source expects the Chiefs' quarterback play in the preseason to be among the best Kansas City has seen since Mahomes' rookie year, with Fields and Nussmeier providing quality competition and reps.NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026
Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes is being rested in the preseason opener against the Rams, matching the Rams' decision to sideline reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford. Per Chris Jones' tone and comments, Mahomes appears to be the only starter excused from taking the field in Saturday's game, excluding players dealing with training camp injuries.NegativeInjuryAug 13, 2026
Patrick Mahomes will not play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, per head coach Andy Reid.PositiveRoleAug 13, 2026
Patrick Mahomes has done 'an unbelievable job' preparing himself and working with the Chiefs receivers to ensure they meet the team's performance standard for 2026, per Kelce. This suggests strong quarterback-receiver cohesion heading into the season.NegativeRoleAug 12, 2026
The Chiefs offense has devolved into a quick-game or scramble-dependent system where Mahomes must create explosive plays with his mobility. The source notes this is not a sustainable style and puts too much burden on the quarterback, highlighting the team's lack of receiver talent to beat man coverage or win downfield and stretch defenses.PositiveProjectionAug 11, 2026
Patrick Mahomes, the three-time Super Bowl MVP, has participated in every 11-on-11 segment of training camp and continues to work his way back from last season's knee injury. He demonstrated his classic off-balance throwing ability on Saturday, firing a pair of near-identical passes across his body while on the run to receivers in the middle of the field, including throws to Andrew Armstrong and Nikko Remigio.PositiveInjuryAug 10, 2026
Mahomes is recovering well from his knee injury and has participated in every 11-on-11 segment of training camp so far. The source notes that every report out of camp reads like he isn't coming off a nasty knee injury, suggesting he is completely fine. Head coach Andy Reid seems to be strongly 'leaning' toward Mahomes not playing in the preseason opener against the Rams.NegativeRoleAug 9, 2026
Mahomes is navigating the balance between his aggressive, competitive playing style and the caution required during knee injury recovery. He acknowledged the internal conflict: "I'm trying to hold back because I'm a competitor, and I like competing," but emphasized he will not lose his identity. On fourth down and critical moments, he will still try to make plays happen. His approach is to stay smart and keep himself in position for his teammates while maximizing opportunities when they come, whether in preseason or regular season.PositiveInjuryAug 9, 2026
Mahomes was cleared to practice after offseason rehab from a season-ending ACL/LCL knee injury suffered in December. He passed a rigorous physical clearance test administered by Dr. Dan Cooper that included cutting, jumping, and pushing to his limit. Through two weeks of training camp, he has had no noticeable setback and reports the knee "feels great." He is stacking days together and learning to play with the brace, sometimes forgetting about it during competitive reps. Mahomes expressed confidence in being ready for Week 1 against Denver on Monday Night Football, though head coach Andy Reid has all but ruled him out of the preseason slate beginning August 15 against the Rams.NegativeInjuryAug 8, 2026
Patrick Mahomes will not play in the Chiefs preseason opener on August 15 against the Rams as he continues recovery from a season-ending knee injury suffered in December. Andy Reid did not commit to Mahomes playing in the preseason at all, leaving his exhibition slate status uncertain.PositiveInjuryAug 7, 2026
Mahomes is actively working on mobility and escapability during training camp as part of his knee recovery. During a full-team period, he broke contain on a blitz rolling right and attempted to make a play with his legs past the line of scrimmage, ultimately falling to the ground but remaining fine. Reid emphasized the importance of this work: "To play in a game, you have to have escapability. Or you can't be in there; you can't play that position and be a target; you have to have some mobility back there. So he works on that. If it's not there down the field, he takes off and runs. Every time he does it, it builds a little bit more confidence in the leg." The source notes this "speaks to the comfort Mahomes has in his knee."NegativeProjectionAug 7, 2026
Head coach Andy Reid indicated Patrick Mahomes will likely not play in the preseason Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams on August 15th. Reid stated: 'There's a pretty good chance I don't play him. And percentages are leaning that way. I don't know if I'll play him the second or third game; I don't know that, but percentages probably lean against doing that.' Reid's reasoning: 'We got new people in those other positions behind him that need some work. So the more reps they get, the better.' This prioritizes development of backup quarterbacks and other position groups over Mahomes' preseason snaps.NegativeInjuryAug 5, 2026
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in the Week 15 loss to the Chargers during a disastrous 2025 season in which the Chiefs finished 6-11 and lost eight of their final nine games. This was the first losing season of the Mahomes era and the first for head coach Andy Reid since 2013, marking a dramatic fall from three straight Super Bowl appearances (2022-2024, winning two).PositiveInjuryAug 4, 2026
Mahomes shows no restrictions or hangover from knee injury; pass-game coordinator Joe Bleymaier confirmed no limitations on his playbook usage (under center, rolling left/right, full play-action suite) and noted his recovery timetable has been seamless. Bleymaier stated: 'I haven't seen anything with the knee out there on the field that would lend itself to show any sort of hangover or any sort of setback from the season' and 'We're not going to put any limitations on what Patrick can do.'PositiveProjectionAug 3, 2026
Everything for Kansas City in 2026 flows through Mahomes' recovery. Early signs from camp show an accelerated rehab timeline and full participation in team drills, which are encouraging indicators for his Week 1 readiness and the Chiefs' ability to return to AFC championship contention after last year's disappointment.PositiveRoleAug 2, 2026
From 2018-2022, Mahomes was the centerpiece of the Chiefs' dominant, explosive offensive identity; the source describes him as 'a player the league had never seen with his combination of arm talent, athleticism, and feel for the game.' The offense was built around him, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill. In 2024, Mahomes started 15-1 games, though the team lacked a clear identity and never played dominant football despite his individual performance.NegativeUsageAug 2, 2026
Mahomes was limited during OTAs while recovering from his own injury, restricting early-season deep ball development work with Worthy. Worthy confirmed in media availability that 'he was limited in OTAs' and that they 'tried our hardest to work at it' during that period, with plans to continue building chemistry throughout training camp.NegativeUsageJul 31, 2026
Patrick Mahomes threw multiple touchdown passes during practice, including a 40+ yard deep ball to Thornton on a go route where Mahomes jogged down to celebrate with him. He also threw a perfect pass to Cyrus Allen on a one-handed catch up the middle despite double coverage, and connected with Justin Fields on fade-ball dots between cornerbacks and safeties.PositiveProjectionJul 30, 2026
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes continued to shake rust off on Day 2, looking to push the ball downfield more compared to Day 1. He connected with wide receiver Xavier Worthy on a blitz-beating deep play for a touchdown, though he also threw an interception to cornerback Nohl Williams on a back-side route and another interception off tight end Jared Wiley's drop.PositiveProjectionJul 30, 2026
Quarterback continued to shake rust off during Day 2 practice, looking to push the ball downfield more compared to Day 1. Mahomes connected with wide receiver Xavier Worthy on a blitz-beating deep play for a touchdown, demonstrating improved downfield chemistry.PositiveProjectionJul 30, 2026
Patrick Mahomes showed no issues rolling to his right and scrambling during Day 2 practice; he connected on multiple completions including a deep touchdown to Xavier Worthy and a screen touchdown to Ken Walker, demonstrating vintage sidearm throws at the 2nd level.PositiveProjectionJul 30, 2026
Scrambled and showed no issues rolling to his right; back out for 11-on-11 drills and connecting on multiple completions including deep touchdowns to Xavier Worthy and quick screens to Ken Walker.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
Star QB adjusting to knee brace during early practices; said Friday he felt comfortable playing with a brace after using one at Texas Tech, but still needs time to acclimate to this particular support around his left knee; observed frequently adjusting and tugging at multiple straps during practice.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
Chiefs QB adjusting to knee brace during early practices; said Friday he felt comfortable playing with brace after using one during college at Texas Tech, but still needs time to acclimate to this particular support around left knee. Observed frequently adjusting bulky brace during practice—sometimes quick adjustments, other times multiple strap tugs.PositiveInjuryJul 29, 2026
Star quarterback returning from a major knee injury sustained in December. Head coach Andy Reid provided encouraging news on Mahomes' recovery status, stating: 'Pat did everything,' indicating the quarterback was cleared to participate fully in practice activities, a positive indicator of his rehabilitation progress.PositiveInjuryJul 29, 2026
Star quarterback returning from a major knee injury sustained in December. At first training camp practice, Mahomes was cleared to do everything in practice, which head coach Andy Reid characterized as a positive recovery indicator, stating 'Pat did everything.'NegativeProjectionJul 29, 2026
Mahomes took 34 sacks through 14 games in the 2025 season, on pace for a career-high; he fell two short of the 36 sacks he took in 2024. Prior to 2024, his career high was 28 sacks in a season, and he averaged 24 sacks per season as a starter before 2024. The source notes the Chiefs need to reduce sack rate back toward that historical average, as drive-killing sacks damage offensive rhythm as much as turnovers.NegativeRoleJul 29, 2026
Patrick Mahomes began 11-on-11 drills as the starting quarterback. He was jumping up and down in frustration after missing a touchdown throw in 7-on-7 red zone work.NegativeProjectionJul 29, 2026
Mahomes took 34 sacks through 14 games in the 2025 season, putting him on pace for a career-high in sacks taken. He fell two short of the 36 sacks he faced in 2024, which was already a significant spike from his pre-2024 average of 24 sacks per season. The source notes that prior to 2024, his season-high was 28 sacks, indicating a troubling trend in pass protection that can damage offensive rhythm and fantasy production.NegativeInjuryJul 28, 2026
Mahomes has already participated in practices, which disqualifies him from the PUP list; all indications suggest the Chiefs have been cautious with his rehab and cleared him for practice through proper channels. While avoiding the PUP list does not guarantee Week 1 availability, it would be a significant upset if he does not play. Expect minimal preseason action and gameplans that keep him in the pocket more than usual early in the season, with some unexpected rest days likely stacked with scheduled off days.NegativeRoleJul 28, 2026
Chiefs QB working directly with WR Andrew Armstrong during extra practices before full squad reports to training camp, helping Armstrong build chemistry with the quarterback ahead of the regular season.NegativeRoleJul 27, 2026
The source projects that Mahomes will transition to a more pocket-based, play-action quarterback role this season. This shift stems from his ACL recovery and reduced scrambling ability. The offense is expected to go under center more frequently, which provides extra protection, unlocks easier blocking angles for the run game, and allows Mahomes to manipulate zone defenders from his eyes. The best-case scenario is that as the season progresses, Mahomes becomes more capable and willing to scramble and run again, potentially hitting a physical stride by the playoffs.NegativeInjuryJul 27, 2026
Mahomes tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers during Week 15 of last season. Despite the severity of the injury, he has been a full participant in training camp only seven months post-injury, which the source notes is remarkable. However, Mahomes will need to materially alter his playing style, primarily by running and scrambling significantly less this season to account for the injury recovery.PositiveRoleJul 26, 2026
Starting quarterback fully cleared for training camp and showing no issues in practice. Demonstrated movement out of under-center looks, throwing on the run, and precision in 7-on-7 drills; completed five of five throws in one Sunday period including a deep route to undrafted receiver Omari Evans. Made multiple touchdown-worthy throws including a no-look pass to Andrew Armstrong in the end zone on a slant route between two zone coverages and a back pylon throw to Jimmy Holiday for a touchdown.PositiveInjuryJul 25, 2026
Patrick Mahomes, who suffered multiple torn knee ligaments in December, has been cleared to practice ahead of the 2026 season. Reid emphasized the benefit of the early rookie camp phase for Mahomes' recovery, noting the gradual ramp-up period allows the Chiefs to assess his status while managing his workload carefully before the full squad reports.