Drew Brees believes Patrick Mahomes is headed toward more than simply a successful return from the serious knee injury that ended his 2025 season. The newly inducted Pro Football Hall of Famer predicts the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback still has his best football ahead of him.
Speaking with TMZ Sports, Brees said he has “no doubt” that Mahomes is physiologically capable of coming back from the injury. He identified the mental side of recovery, particularly learning to trust the repaired knee while taking hits and moving instinctively as another hurdle that comes with returning to football.
Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee during Kansas City’s 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14. He underwent surgery in Dallas the following day and began rehabilitation immediately, setting his sights on returning for the start of the 2026 season.
More than eight months later, Mahomes has progressed from offseason rehabilitation to full participation in Chiefs training camp. He has said his knee “feels great,” putting Brees’ prediction in focus with Kansas City’s September 14 opener against the Denver Broncos now only weeks away.
Brees Thinks Mahomes Can Clear the Mental Hurdle
“I think there’s no doubt that physiologically Patrick Mahomes is fine,” Brees told TMZ Sports. For Brees, the more complicated part can come after the repaired knee is physically capable of handling football again. He described the psychological barrier of trusting the joint enough to plant, move and absorb contact without consciously worrying about another injury.
“Can I just get past that psychological barrier of being able to turn it loose and not think about it at all?” Brees said. He expects Mahomes to get there. “I’m confident that the best of Patrick Mahomes is still ahead of us,” Brees said.
Brees has personal experience with that process. He tore an ACL as a high school junior before going on to a 20-year NFL career that included 13 Pro Bowl selections, a Super Bowl championship and one of the most prolific passing careers in league history. His latest honor arrived August 8, when he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026.
Mahomes Has Already Returned to Full 11-on-11 Work
Mahomes’ progress during training camp gives Brees reason for optimism. The quarterback was fully cleared to participate before camp opened, then reached another major milestone July 29 when he took his first 11-on-11 snaps since the injury.
“He did everything, which is a positive,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after that practice. Reid said Mahomes looked strong and noted that the strength in his legs and movement of his feet were encouraging signs. The workload continued to increase. By August 8, Mahomes had participated in every 11-on-11 segment of training camp to that point, according to the Chiefs’ training-camp report.
He was also producing some of the off-platform throws that have defined his game. During that August 8 session, Mahomes twice threw across his body while running, completing passes to Andrew Armstrong and Nikko Remigio. “The knee feels great,” Mahomes said afterward. He added that during demanding practices, particularly when he becomes tired, there are moments when he stops thinking about the injury entirely.
Week 1 Against Denver Has Been the Goal Since January
Mahomes has been targeting Week 1 since the earliest stages of his rehabilitation. In January, roughly one month after surgery, he said his doctor believed returning for the opener was possible but cautioned that neither he nor the medical staff could predict every step of the recovery.
“Obviously, I want to be ready for Week 1,” Mahomes said at the time. “The doctor said I could be.” Mahomes said he wanted to reach Week 1 without restrictions and be healthy enough to give Kansas City its best chance to win.