NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Patrick Mahomes could be an alien given the latest update on his torn ACL.
The Chiefs’ superstar quarterback tore his ACL on Dec. 14 and underwent surgery, including an ACL repair, the next day.
Conventional wisdom would point to a lengthy recovery process that could potentially keep him sidelined for at least part, if not most, of the 2026 NFL season.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports that Mahomes is already well ahead of schedule and could be ready for the start of the season.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grabs his knee after being injured during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
“Their pain threshold is different, their work ethic is different,” Glazer said on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
“So at first they were like, ‘Oh, you know, the beginning of the season.’ I would probably protect myself from him being [back] before that. By far. Because he just attacks things.”
Glazer pointed to the fact that Mahomes underwent surgery almost immediately before his knee swelled as a major factor in why he could be ready for the start of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) receives assistance for an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Image Images)
“The initial reports were a little marginal, but I want to tell you that Patrick is different,” Glazer added.
“He had (the surgery) before it was swollen. So, that was on a Tuesday. I think it was Thursday or Friday of that week, he was already in the Chiefs training room doing rehab. And his knee was already bent at 90 degrees at that time. It’s just different, it heals differently.”
We’ve seen that as an issue for athletes who suffer major ligament tears, with Celtics forward Jayson Tatum tearing his Achilles tendon in May of last year and potentially returning on Friday, just 10 months later.
The Giants couldn’t act as quickly with injured catcher Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL on Sept. 28 and didn’t have surgery until Oct. 28 due to inflammation.
Mahomes’ incredible return timeline certainly brings new life to the Chiefs, as many expected Kansas City to reset its salary cap situation this season with its quarterback missing.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Glazer suggested the Chiefs will likely operate as if everything is normal this offseason.
Kansas City had a nightmare season in 2025, going 6-11 and missing the playoffs for the first time with Mahomes on the roster.
The Chiefs are in the process of reshaping the team. They traded star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams and have a chance to re-sign Tyreek Hill as he recovers from his own injury.
Related article
