When Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down with an ACL injury against the Los Angeles Chargers, the season was effectively over.
And we haven't heard from Patrick since that gut-wrenching day at Arrowhead Stadium, but we have now.
Mahomes has had the surgery and is beginning the long road back to full health, and we know that he has ambitions to start in Week 1.
But that is a long way away.
So, how has Patrick's rehab been going?
"Rehab's going great so far," Mahomes said. "Hitting all the checkpoints that the doctor wants you to do, getting the strength and the range of mobility back. That's been going great, been doing all of it in Kansas City.
"The doctor gives you goals to get to, and I just try to maximize those. They hold me back because I always want to go further."
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Mahomes pushing for Week 1 start
Ever since Mahomes went down with the ACL injury, we've heard from several people that he will be doing his best to get back on the field in Week 1 of the 2026 season.
That means his rehab has to go flawlessly.
Not to mention the ability to practice during training camp.
Some want Patrick to miss the entire 2026 season to get back to his best and attack 2027, but we know that isn't Mahomes' style.
He wants to play.
Rehab is going well, and right now, just a few weeks after surgery, that is all you can ask for.
And if the doctors have to hold Patrick back, that might be a good sign for Week 1.
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