Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes is making what observers are calling an "astonishing" start to his recovery from major knee surgery, reportedly achieving a 90-degree bend in his injured joint mere days after the operation.
A Devastating Injury and Swift Surgical Response
The three-time Super Bowl winner suffered a multi-ligament knee injury, tearing both his ACL and LCL, during the Chiefs' narrow 16-13 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers last week. The loss officially ended the team's playoff hopes for the season.
Facing a typical recovery timeline of nine to twelve months, Mahomes immediately entered a race against time to be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL campaign. The quarterback underwent surgery performed by Dr. Dan Cooper in less than 24 hours, a standard protocol for LCL tears despite fan concerns about operating before swelling subsides.
Chiefs vice president of sports medicine, Rick Burkholder, confirmed the procedure "went well" and expressed optimism about a potential return early next season. He noted, "Every player is different... (Mahomes) is so in tune to what he does, he does it a little quicker."
Defying Expectations in Early Rehabilitation
According to Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer, Mahomes' progress has been remarkably swift. The quarterback is already capable of a 90-degree bend in his surgically repaired left knee—a milestone usually reached one to two weeks after surgery.
After flying back to Kansas City last Thursday, Mahomes began his official rehabilitation programme at the Chiefs' training facility on Saturday. "They're saying it's a nine-month recovery, Patrick Mahomes though we know is different. He's gonna attack this," Glazer added, highlighting the player's determined mindset.
The 2026 NFL season is projected to kick off on 10 September, with the Chiefs likely playing their first game shortly after. This sets up a tense rehabilitation calendar for the franchise cornerstone.
Medical Experts Urge Caution Despite Progress
While the early signs are positive, sports medicine professionals are sounding notes of caution. Dr. Jesse Morse, a board-certified sports medicine physician with over a decade of experience, warned the Chiefs in an interview with the Daily Mail that returning before the 12-month mark could have significant consequences.
"Mahomes is going to do everything in his power to be back for week one next year, in my opinion. But he is not going to look very good," Dr. Morse claimed. "He's going to look like a shell of his normal self... and that really won't return until probably 2027."
He emphasised that traditional recovery from such injuries takes 12 to 15 months to regain full knee strength, with returns before nine months generally advised against due to heightened re-injury risk. Dr. Morse estimated Mahomes might only be at about 65% of his capacity if he suits up for Week 1.
"Sometimes he'll be wanting to go but the team's like, 'Nope, we don't feel you're ready,' and he's too important to the franchise to justify it," the injury expert added, pointing to the delicate balance between player desire and organisational duty of care.
As Mahomes embarks on this challenging rehabilitation journey, the entire NFL world will be watching to see if his exceptional early progress can translate into a safe and effective return to his legendary best.
