Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says his left knee feels great as he nears return

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said his left knee feels great as he approaches a potential return five weeks from the season opener. The comment came during the second week of the 2026 training camp, where Mahomes is still recovering from a December 14 injury that tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee.

"It feels great," Mahomes told ESPN reporter Nate Taylor. "When you’re tired sometimes, you don’t even think about [the knee]. I’m trying to protect it, but at the same time trying to push it and get myself ready for the season."

He added that he is trying to balance preparation with caution, noting that long practices and competition can tempt him to push beyond safe limits.

"I try to be smart, but there’s just sometimes where, in camp, you’re trying to compete and practices are long. I mean, you want to win the rep. There are times where I do forget about it and just play football."

During a fourth-down drill on Friday, Mahomes scrambled to the sideline, cut back, and attempted an underhand lateral that resulted in a fumble recovered by the defense. He said the competitive drive sometimes overrides his caution.

"I’m trying to hold myself back because I’m just a competitor. I like competing. All of a sudden, I’m running and cutting back and trying to pitch the ball. But when it’s fourth down, you want to try to make a play happen. I’m not going to lose who I am, but I’m going to try to keep myself smart and keep myself in position to be out there for my teammates."

The upcoming Week 1 will test whether Mahomes can perform at his usual level, given his reliance on mobility and frequent directional changes that stress the knee. The presence of running back Kenneth Walker III may shift some offensive emphasis toward the ground game, but Mahomes indicated he intends to focus on his passing duties when the situation calls for it.