Patrick Mahomes: Chiefs quarterback cleared to start against Denver
Patrick Mahomes is set to return for the Kansas City Chiefs’ season opener against the Denver Broncos on Monday night. The quarterback has no injury designation after recovering from the ACL and LCL tears he suffered last December, although his performance on the surgically repaired knee remains unknown. NFL.com
Chiefs quarterback cleared to start against Denver
The latest reported status is that Mahomes will start for Kansas City against Denver. He was a full participant throughout the Thursday-to-Saturday practice week and is scheduled to make his eighth consecutive Week 1 start. NFL.com
The matchup is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, with Denver visiting Kansas City. The available reporting does not establish how much, if at all, the knee injury will affect Mahomes during the game.
Mahomes tore both his ACL and LCL in Week 15 of the 2025 season against the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent nine months working toward his return, and he said the goal had been to play in Week 1. KMBC
Why the comeback matchup is difficult
Denver enters the game with a defense that led the NFL with 68 sacks in 2025, while allowing the league’s second-fewest yards and third-fewest points, according to KMBC’s report. The Broncos also swept Kansas City in 2025.
The pass rush is led by Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen. Bonitto recorded 14 sacks in 2025, and Allen had seven. Denver can also send pressure through linebacker blitzes, with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad among the players it frequently used in that role last season. KMBC
Kansas City will also be without starting left tackle Josh Simmons, who was ruled out. Rookie Kahlil Benson is expected to make his first regular-season start while protecting Mahomes’ blind side. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team was comfortable with Benson taking the role. KMBC
Denver’s secondary includes cornerback Pat Surtain II, who allowed 33 completions in 2025 and was credited with allowing opposing quarterbacks a 66 passer rating when targeting him. The report also identifies Kansas City’s reworked running-back group, including former Seattle Seahawks player Kenneth Walker and rookie Emmett Johnson, as another part of the matchup.
What remains unresolved
Being cleared to start answers the immediate availability question, but it does not provide a game-performance assessment. NFL.com reported that Mahomes’ play on the repaired knee was still a question before kickoff. NFL.com
The quarterback is coming off a 2025 season in which Kansas City went 6-11, missed the playoffs and lost its nine-season run of AFC West titles. In 14 starts, he threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, his lowest statistical season as the Chiefs’ starter since 2018. NFL.com
As of the latest available reports, Mahomes is cleared and expected to start; no result from the Denver game or further assessment of his knee is established.