The three-time Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes, sustained an ACL and LCL tear last December while playing against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Week 15 matchup.

According to one of the New York Times analysts, the burden of the Chiefs' games this season falls on Patrick Mahomes.

The team took care of their two needs by trading running back Kenneth Walker and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is likely to pick a cornerback from the draft this season, and Travis Kelce is also back for his 14th NFL season.

This all sounds good, but without the Chiefs’ greatest Quarterback, Mahomes, who led the team to 7 consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances and 5 Super Bowl appearances, winning three, not everything lines up.

After the injury in December 2025, Mahomes underwent surgery and rehabilitation. Because of this, he and the Kansas City Chiefs are optimistic about his return in week 1, but given that it takes about 9 to 12 months to recover from an ACL tear, there're bound to be some delays.

But the analyst added that if the quarterback comes back healthy in 2026, he could take the pressure off the team and HC Andy Reid.

Jourdan Rodrigue also noted that Kenneth Walker to the Chiefs was one of the most interesting moves. Super Bowl LX MVP and one of the most explosive up-and-coming running backs, Walker fits right with Head Coach Andy Reid's system.

Reid's system allows the other players to freestyle their play a little, if, by any bumps on the road, Mahomes doesn’t play.

Latest Updates regarding the Chiefs’ Quarterback position

According to ESPN, the New York Jets agreed to trade quarterback Justin Fields for a sixth-round draft pick in 2027. The Chiefs want to sign him as a temporary replacement for Mahomes.

This deal also states that $7M of his $10M guaranteed will be covered by the Jets; the Chiefs will only have to pay $3M, making this one of the smartest decisions in this scenario.

This will be Fields' fourth different franchise in the last four years. He has played 59 games in his career, scoring a total of 52 touchdowns for 1323 passing yards. Now, he's ready to play with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

And that’s all the experience the Chiefs need, as their star quarterback, Mahomes, might not play the early season. What do you think about Justin Fields' signing? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Monika Khatai

Edited by

Kalp Thaker