Patrick Mahomes continues to check every box in his recovery process.
Just five and a half months removed from ACL surgery, the Kansas City Chiefs superstar is already back on the practice field participating in OTAs.
For most players, that timeline would seem unbelievable.
For Mahomes, it’s simply another step toward his ultimate goal: being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
But while fans are excited to see No. 15 back in action, Mahomes recently revealed there’s still one important thing he can’t do.
He’s not running and cutting yet.
And surprisingly, that might not be a bad thing.
Mahomes Is Ahead — But Not Finished
Speaking after OTA practice, Mahomes explained that he is still progressing through different phases of rehab.
While he has returned to football activities, he’s not yet at the stage where he can fully test his mobility.
Running.
Cutting.
Changing direction at full speed.
Those are the next hurdles.
The good news is that Mahomes has reportedly reached every recovery milestone so far.
The Chiefs remain cautious, but optimism continues to grow inside the organization.
The Chiefs Learned a Hard Lesson in 2025
One of the biggest issues during Kansas City’s disappointing 2025 season was the lack of a consistent rushing attack.
Too often, Mahomes became one of the team’s most dangerous runners.
That may sound impressive.
But it’s actually a problem.
When your franchise quarterback is repeatedly forced to carry the ground game, something isn’t working correctly.
Mahomes finished last season with 422 rushing yards and frequently found himself scrambling to keep drives alive.
While his athleticism helped the offense survive, it also increased the physical punishment he absorbed.
Ultimately, that isn’t a sustainable formula.
Kenneth Walker Changes Everything
This offseason, the Chiefs made it clear they wanted to fix that problem.
The arrival of Kenneth Walker III immediately gives Kansas City a legitimate rushing threat.
Combined with rookie Emmett Johnson and an improved offensive line, the Chiefs appear committed to building a more balanced offense.
That should allow Mahomes to focus on doing what he does best:
Playing quarterback.
Not acting as the team’s emergency running back.
The Real Goal Isn’t More Running
Chiefs fans know Mahomes is capable of making incredible plays with his legs.
Some of the most iconic moments of his career have come outside the pocket.
But the best version of Mahomes isn’t one constantly scrambling for survival.
The best version of Mahomes is one operating from a position of control.
Making reads.
Delivering strikes.
Manipulating defenses.
Winning from the pocket.
The fewer hits he takes, the better.
Especially coming off a major knee injury.
Why Chiefs Kingdom Should Feel Encouraged
The most important takeaway from OTAs isn’t that Mahomes can’t run yet.
It’s that he doesn’t need to.
The Chiefs appear to be building an offense designed to protect their franchise quarterback while maximizing his strengths.
That’s exactly what championship teams do.
If everything continues progressing as planned, Mahomes will eventually regain his mobility.
But when the season begins, Kansas City hopes that mobility becomes a luxury rather than a necessity.
And that could make the Chiefs even more dangerous than before.
