We don't need to go back and re-live the Patrick Mahomes ACL injury. Kansas City Chiefs fans have been living through it for the past few months.
Now, with the excitement of the offseason, including free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, fans are looking ahead at how these Chiefs can once again remind the league who they're dealing with. FanSided's Sterling Holmes had the chance to sit down with former NFL quarterback, now analyst, Robert Griffin III and discuss the Chiefs' outlook, also touching on Mahomes' injury timeline.
Asked what his thoughts were on Mahomes' timeline and if he thinks the 3-time Super Bowl MVP will be ready for Week 1, Griffin had this to say:
"I would like to see him not start this season just so he can prolong his career. And hopefully, the Chiefs can put themselves in position midway through the year where he can come back and he can be fully 100 percent, and be the Patrick Mahomes that we're used to seeing."
RGIII says what many Kansas City Chiefs fans have long been thinking about Patrick Mahomes' injury recovery
If we're all being honest, this is what most of us are already thinking. Mahomes is as vital to the Chiefs as any single player is to their NFL team in today's game. Griffin would also talk about how he knows Mahomes wants to be ready for Week 1, and regardless of where he's at with his recovery, he's going to want to play.
But, should he play? That's where Griffin expanding upon the take helps it make even more sense:
"I think they can survive half the season without Patrick Mahomes, and then just imagine that energy that he would bring if he came in halfway through the year. Because, it feels like, I don't know about you being in Kansas City, but it feels like the Chiefs ... they are like sleepwalking through the regular season because they've had so many successful postseasons."
Look ... Mahomes is simply coming back from injury. He's not dead -- even though certain rival fans may lead you to believe such an exaggerated reality. This Chiefs team, under Andy Reid, is going to be just fine.
If every NFL fan was being completely transparent, in their heart of hearts, they'd agree that the Chiefs are still as scary as any team so long as Mahomes is on the field. And now, Kansas City looks like they're going to be giving him more weapons, starting with running back Kenneth Walker III and, ideally, another weapon in the passing game by way of the draft.
If Mahomes is able to take it slower, prioritizing the longevity of his career over everything else, then the Chiefs will be put in the best position to make a run in 2026.
Let's look at the worst-case scenario. Realistically speaking, Mahomes starts the season by missing the first four games. Even if Kansas City were to go 1-3 or 0-4, with Justin Fields, they have a ton of time left to turn it around once Mahomes is back on the field.
And, in the end, Griffin's initial point about Mahomes' career being the top priority right now still stands. He has a lot of football left in him, which is why handling this recovery as delicately as possible is the way to go.
Thanks to Robert for sitting down with FanSided on behalf of his invitation to the U.S. National Team Training Camp for Team USA Football.
Add us as a preferred source on Google