Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made a definitive statement on his future early after suffering a season-ending injury, and he’s not backing off it as the season grows ever closer.
Mahomes has said consistently through the offseason that he plans to start in Week 1, even as the team and head coach Andy Reid have been more cautious in their assessments. The Chiefs quarterback has reached milestones in returning to the field, saying again this week that he’s on track to start in the season opener.
Patrick Mahomes Still Eyeing Week 1
In an interview with Yahoo Sports Daily on Wednesday, Mahomes said his goal has not changed.
âThatâs my goal,â Mahomes said. âIâve said that since the beginning, is being ready to go Week 1. I canât predict the future, and I know that itâs a long process. Itâs not just my decision, but at the same time Iâm going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1.â
Mahomes added that he has some extra motivation to play in Week 1, facing a Denver Broncos team that just knocked them off the top of the division for the first time in more than a decade. Mahomes said he would do everything he could to take the field against the rival.
âI donât want to miss that game because thatâs the team that won the division while we were gone, and you want to be out there and ready to go with your teammates,â Mahomes said. âIâll give every single thing I can to be out there Week 1, and hopefully the doctors and the coaches give me the green light, and Iâm able to go out there with my guys and compete against one of the best teams in the league.â
Mahomes suffered the injury in December, leaving the game where his team was ultimately eliminated from playoff contention. Though a torn ACL can take up to a year to rehab, the Chiefs quarterback remained consistently on schedule throughout the offseason and was able to take the field at the team’s minicamp.
Reid said in June that the team would be ready to start Justin Fields in Week 1 if Mahomes isn’t ready, but said he has faith that Mahomes will do everything in his power to return.
âI wouldnât bet against him,â Reid said. âIf anybody could do it, itâs this kid.â
Patrick Mahomes Itching to Get Back Onto the Field
Mahomes chose to remain in Kansas City through the offseason, staying at the team facility to go through rehab. He said it’s been lonely at times, though he’s just a few weeks away from his teammates joining him at training camp.
âIâm excited to get back to training camp. Iâm excited to get the guys back around,” Mahomes said. “Iâve kind of been in the building in Kansas City by myself. Just [to] have the guys back and getting to be on the football field will get me going and get me ready for the season.â
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