NFL executives sound alarm over Patrick Mahomes injury: "We don't know if Mahomes can move"
Kansas City's superstar quarterback is cleared to play, but doubts remain over how his repaired knee will respond.
Patrick Mahomes is preparing to return for the Kansas City Chiefs , but NFL executives are openly questioning whether the three-time Super Bowl champion will still possess the mobility that has defined so much of his game.
Mahomes suffered torn ACL and LCL ligaments in his left knee in December and underwent surgery on December 15.
Although he has since been cleared for full participation and worked with Kansas City's first team throughout training camp, executives surveyed by The Athletic aren't completely convinced.
"We know Mahomes is good, but I don't know how healthy he is," one executive said.
Another raised the concern even more directly.
"They need tackles, and we don't know if Mahomes can move," the executive said. "That's one team that could really go either way."
Patrick Mahomes’ mobility becomes major Chiefs question
The concern helped contribute to Kansas City being ranked only sixth among AFC teams in the executive survey, behind Buffalo, Denver, Houston, New England and Baltimore.
There have, however, been encouraging signs.
Mahomes was cleared for full training camp participation in July, while the Chiefs deliberately kept him out of preseason games as a precaution.
During an August practice, he rolled to his right, stopped sharply to avoid a defender and delivered a touchdown pass to Rashee Rice , providing an important test of the repaired knee.
Chiefs have problems beyond Mahomes
Mahomes ' health isn't Kansas City's only concern entering the season.
The Chiefs have lost significant defensive talent, with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson moving to the Los Angeles Rams and Bryan Cook joining Cincinnati.
The offensive line is another potential issue. Starting left tackle Josh Simmons recently missed practice after coach Andy Reid said his back problem had "flared up."
Mahomes is also coming off a difficult 2025 season in which he threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as Kansas City finished 6-11.
He is currently on course to start against Denver on September 14.
The question is no longer whether Mahomes can make it back onto the field.
NFL executives now want to know whether the quarterback returning from major knee surgery can still move like Patrick Mahomes .
