Patrick Mahomes Says He Wasn’t At His Best Before ACL Tear, Vows Sharper Decision-Making in Comeback

Patrick Mahomes opened the Kansas City Chiefs‘ training camp this weekend with a blunt self-assessment, telling reporters he’d fallen short of his own standard in the weeks before a torn ACL ended his 2025 season.

“I feel like I wasn’t playing my best football at the end of last year before I got hurt,” the 30-year-old quarterback said. He pointed to specific fixes rather than vague resolutions, naming better pocket navigation, sharper offensive management and quicker decisions to release the ball so teammates can make plays downfield. Mahomes framed the injury layoff as an unexpected opportunity to isolate those habits, saying the enforced pause “helped me focus on those little things” as he works to return to form.

The three-time Super Bowl winner suffered the knee injury during a Week 15 matchup last December, a blow that knocked Kansas City out of playoff contention and sidelined its franchise quarterback for months of rehabilitation. Since then, Mahomes has leaned on a support network of players who’ve walked the same recovery path, including Tom Brady, former Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu and tight end Zach Ertz, who tore his own ACL just a week before Mahomes did.

Photos and video from the offseason chronicled the milestones along the way — first, a leg brace during light workouts in March, then full-practice reps two months later.

Coach Andy Reid, who has repeatedly urged caution against rushing the recovery, indicated camp will run at full intensity regardless of Mahomes’ rehab timeline. “I don’t think he’s going to take it light on anybody, including me,” Mahomes said of his coach’s approach. Reid struck a similarly measured tone about the season opener, telling reporters the team has “a pretty good feel that he’s in a good place” but stopping short of guaranteeing Mahomes suits up in Week 1.

Even with camp underway, Mahomes has been candid that the injury may not be something he simply leaves behind. He’s said the toll from the torn ACL could linger for years, a reality he’s approaching with a mix of confidence and realism. Multiple outlets covering the team’s arrival in St. Joseph, Missouri, for camp reported Mahomes has completed early workouts wearing a protective brace without setbacks, a signal his rehab remains on track heading into the preseason. Still, both player and coach have avoided declaring the comeback complete, describing it instead as a process that continues week to week.