The star quarterback sustained a torn ACL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14 and underwent surgery the following day. Since then, Mahomes has been in a structured rehab program, with Hunt noting he recently joined him in the Chiefs’ training room to observe the progress. A social media post featuring a clock emoji on Mahomes’ Chiefs jersey has fueled speculation about his timeline.
The 2025 season was challenging for Kansas City without its face of the franchise. The Chiefs went 0-3 to close the year and finished on a six-game losing streak, missing the playoffs. Mahomes appeared in 14 games that season, throwing for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and posting a career-low passer rating of 89.6.
Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance, Rick Burkholder, reiterated that Mahomes’ rehab is expected to take about nine months, though timelines can vary by individual. He emphasized that Mahomes must complete position-specific rehab before returning to action.
With the Chiefs hopeful for a full return in 2026, Mahomes’ progress remains a focal point for Kansas City fans and executives alike. The combination of Hunt’s public update and Burkholder’s medical outlook provides a cautiously optimistic picture for a return to top form.
As Mahomes stays focused on rehab, the timeline to Week 1, 2026 remains the target. If he remains on track, Kansas City could have its star quarterback back to lead the team from the outset of the season, a prospect that has the fanbase energized for the next chapter in the Mahomes era.
