Chiefs HC Andy Reid On When We Can Expect To See Patrick Mahomes Back From His Torn ACL

The question hanging over the Kansas City Chiefs' season is the same one hanging over the entire AFC. When does Patrick Mahomes start a game?

Rich asked Andy Reid directly. The answer was about as committed as anyone could expect.

"Rich, man," Reid said.

He worked his way to the answer Chiefs fans actually wanted.

"I hear people say, well, he's ahead of schedule," Reid said. "I'm not sure who makes the schedule, so everybody's different. I would tell you though that he spent a ton of time here and he's getting better every day. He's not taking any setbacks, and that's what you look for."

Then he gave Rich just enough for a headline.

"I would tell you he's doing very well, but it's a day-to-day thing," Reid said. "And as long as he keeps making the progress forward, man, maybe you have a chance to see him the first game. But again, we'll play that as we go."

The league scheduling Denver-Kansas City in Week 1 on Monday Night Football, Rich said, suggests someone in New York believes Mahomes is going to play. Reid leaned into the joke without confirming.

"Deep down, Roger Goodell wanted to be a physical therapist," Reid said. "So he said, listen, the two of the top quarterbacks in the National Football League need some motivation to get themselves back on the football field. So let's put them against each other. We wouldn't want any other way. I don't think Denver would want any other way. This is a great thing. And if the guys can be there, they're going to be there. And both of them are great competitors, and we'll just see where it all goes."

Rich pushed Reid on what he is looking for in July and August to feel comfortable.

"You want to make sure that it's healed," Reid said. "That he can keep himself out of harm's way as needed. We're obviously not going to just throw him out there to throw him out there. I know his competitive nature, he's going to want to play. But we've got to evaluate all that as we go forward."

The Mahomes injury rehab style is its own conversation. Rich invoked the famous Denver moment when Mahomes' kneecap ended up on the side of his leg and he was back faster than anyone had a right to expect.

Reid reached for the same memory.

"That game was in Denver, by the way," Reid said. "He was trying to talk me into halftime of going back in the game. So that's how this guy is wired, and it's a great thing. But at the same time, you got to make sure that everything's right."

The image Reid keeps in his head right now is of Mahomes in the building.

"I wish everybody could see how he's gone about his business on getting himself ready," Reid said. "It's a pretty impressive deal. Seven hours in the building every day. Every day he's in here, working."

That, in Reid's view, is the only reason the long game still matters more than the short one.

"He's still got a lot left in his career," Reid said. "You don't want to put him in a bad position there."