Patrick Mahomes’ rapid return from a torn ACL in his left knee was accompanied by some expert advice for the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback from none other than Tom Brady.
‘I talked to Tom early in the process because he had the same injury, a very similar injury that I had,’ Mahomes told reporters in Kansas City after being cleared to practice ahead of training camp.
Brady famously tore his ACL at the beginning of the 2008 season, which proved to be a fork in the road for a 31-year-old with three Lombardi Trophies to his name. Just 31 at the time, Brady bounced back to play 14 more seasons and win four more Super Bowls, including a victory over Mahomes’ Chiefs in February of 2020.
Like Brady in 2008, the 30-year-old Mahomes has three Super Bowl wins to his name, but he’ll need to stay healthy if he’s going to challenge his former rival’s record of seven.
That’s why he’s been trying to gain as much experience on the subject as he can from former teammate Tyrann Mathieu as well as the Washington Commanders’ Zach Ertz.
‘It’s just talking to guys that have been through this process and just saying how you have to stay on top of it,’ Mahomes said.
Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady attend an Amex event in May of 2025
Brady famously tore his ACL at the beginning of the 2008 season, which proved to be a fork in the road for a 31-year-old with three Lombardi Trophies to his name
Mahomes was hurt during a Week 15 game against the rival Los Angeles Chargers
‘It’s a long process. I remember sitting on the table and watching us play those last few games and how much it hurt me, but I knew that if I continued to work, I could be at this spot where I get cleared for practice,’ he continued. ‘Now I’m just trying to get to that spot where I’m cleared to play in the regular season on that first week.’
Interestingly, Mahomes has been in an informal rehab competition with Ertz, who tore his ACL a week before the Chiefs star’s December injury.
‘It would start off as how much deadlift — what you’re deadlifting, where you’re at — and then [we would] send little videos,’ he said. ‘He’s jumping and doing certain acceleration things, and I’m sending him next week doing cutting and stuff like that.’
The Chiefs missed the postseason in 2025 while battling a number of injuries, off-field issues and a salary-cap crunch that left Andy Reid’s team without cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and linebacker Willie Gay.
Although Mahomes did get minicamp reps, it’s not certain he’ll be under center in Week 1
Along the way, Mahomes had his most difficult season, while posting an 89.6 quarterback rating – his worst since becoming a full-time starter in 2018 — prior to his season-ending injury in Week 15.
Although Mahomes did get in some reps at minicamp, it’s not certain he’ll be under center for the Week 1 opener as he’s hoped. If he can’t go, newly acquired Justin Fields is expected to start at quarterback, although rookie seventh-round pick Garrett Nussmeier could get some consideration if the former New York Jets starter struggles.
The good news for the Chiefs’ offense is that Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III has been signed at running back, which could help alleviate pressure on Mahomes or whomever is at quarterback in Week 1.
