Just a few months after a devastating knee injury ended his 2025 season, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes appears to be defying the odds. Head coach Andy Reid dropped a surprise update on Saturday, indicating that Mahomes is expected to take part in the team’s upcoming OTAs later this month.
Speaking with reporters, Reid explained that while Mahomes will start with non-contact drills during Phase 2 of the offseason program, he’s optimistic about the star QB’s progress. “He is in a good position to be able to do some things,” Reid said, via ESPN’s Nate Taylor. “If he can do some things, [he’ll do it]. Phase 2, remember, there’s no contact and there’s no offense versus defense. It’s Phase 3 that you get into that… He’s in a position where he can do everything, I think.”
The news comes as a shock to many, given that Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL late in the 2025 season—his first losing campaign as a pro. Recoveries from such injuries typically take nine months or longer, making this six-month timeline seem almost unbelievable.
Fans Divided on Mahomes’ Recovery
Social media erupted with a mix of awe and skepticism. Some hailed Mahomes as a superhuman competitor, while others questioned whether the injury was as severe as initially reported. “Faked an injury trying to save face in the worst season of his career… ‘Can’t count that season I was ‘injured,'” one user mocked. Another declared, “Mahomes is BUILT DIFFERENT! On track for OTAs after that knee surgery? The GOAT is back and Chiefs Kingdom is eating GOOD this year.”
A third fan wrote, “We all know he was never hurt in the first place,” while a fourth marveled at modern medicine: “Do people realize how insane this is? Modern medicine is absolutely incredible, 12-15 years ago this would’ve been a potential career ending injury and now you’re out 6 months and back for OTAs? Unbelievable.”
Mahomes’ resilience has drawn comparisons to other athletes who have bounced back from serious knee injuries. In a related story, Caitlin Clark's Knee Scare Sparks Alarm Ahead of WNBA Opener, showing how knee issues can impact even the brightest stars.
What’s Next for Mahomes?
While Reid’s update is encouraging, the real test will come when contact is allowed. Mahomes won’t be truly “back” until he’s taking live snaps against a pass rush, which likely won’t happen until training camp in July or August. Until then, fans will have to wait and see if the two-time MVP can regain his pre-injury form.
For now, the Chiefs are taking a cautious approach, but the mere possibility of Mahomes participating in OTAs has electrified the fanbase. As Reid put it, Mahomes is in a position to “do everything” in Phase 2, which is more than many expected just weeks ago.
Some have even called Mahomes the best college quarterback ever—a claim that Mike Gundy Stuns Fans: Patrick Mahomes Is the Best College QB Ever, Period—though his NFL legacy is already secure. The question now is whether he can add another chapter to his storied career after this remarkable recovery.
As the NFL world watches closely, one thing is certain: Mahomes’ journey back to the field will be one of the most compelling storylines of the offseason. Stay tuned for updates as OTAs begin later this month.
