Chiefs owner and CEO Clark Hunt provided an update on Mahomes’ rehab during an appearance on Good Morning Football, praising Mahomes’ work ethic. “I was with Patrick a couple of days ago in our training room, watching him go through the work that he’s doing to get back on the field with the rehab,” Hunt said, calling Mahomes “the hardest worker” he’s seen. He noted Mahomes has a goal of being back for the start of the 2026 season and suggested his past healing pace gives him a potential edge.
Hunt stressed that returning to 100 percent health by Week 1 remains a tall task given the knee surgery, but he did not rule out the possibility. “He certainly has a goal of being back for the beginning of the season. I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s somebody in the past who’s healed very quickly. And again, his work ethic I think gives him a huge advantage in getting back and being ready to play in 2026,” Hunt said.
Beyond Mahomes, Hunt addressed the future of tight end Travis Kelce, another cornerstone for Kansas City. The organization “certainly hope[s] he will come back,” Hunt said, noting Kelce’s continued production with over 800 yards and his leadership on offense. The decision is ultimately Kelce’s to make, with Hunt emphasizing the team’s desire to support him.
Hunt described Kelce as still highly productive, even if his 2024–25 production wasn’t at his historic peak. He highlighted Kelce’s value to the locker room and offense while acknowledging Kelce has an offseason full of personal milestones, including engagements and marriage plans, that the team will respect in the decision-making process.
The Chiefs’ outlook for 2026 centers on Mahomes’ rehabilitation timeline and Kelce’s future, with the organization emphasizing cautious optimism. While the path to Week 1 readiness remains uncertain, Hunt’s comments underscore a plan built around Mahomes’ recovery and Kelce’s potential return, as Kansas City charts its direction after a postseason-free year.
