Reid made his comments in his Monday press conference, a day after Mahomes’ devastating injury was aggravated in Kansas City by the Chiefs’ elimination from the playoffs.
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It’s still unclear exactly when or where Mahomes will undergo surgery. Reid told reporters that Mahomes’ second opinion will come first. He’ll seek that opinion from Dallas Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper.
Why Mahomes is seeking a second opinion
Reid explained that seeking a second opinion is normal operating procedure in these circumstances and is not a cause for further concern.
“These guys usually do that,” Reid said. “Most guys get second opinions… That’s just part of it. And that’s what he’s doing.”
Reid was also asked to clarify whether Mahomes suffered damage to his meniscus or anything else in his knee besides the ACL. He pointed to the statement issued by the Chiefs on Sunday announcing that Mahomes had torn his ACL.
“It’s just what they posted,” Reid said. “We try not to hide too much from them. That’s not our game. I try to keep it clear to them. That’s the information they have and they publish it for you.”
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The Chiefs still have three regular season games to prepare and play. But with Mahomes injured and the Chiefs out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season, the bigger picture has turned to Mahomes’ future and long-term health.
When will Mahomes be ready to return to football?
With a second opinion and surgery still pending, there is no official timetable yet for Mahomes’ return. ACL tears typically sideline athletes for 6 to 12 months. If all goes well with Mahomes’ surgery and no other damage is discovered, Reid is optimistic about Mahomes’ chances of returning sooner rather than later.
“In these rehabs you never know how they go,” Reid said. “I just know that he has good people that he will work with. I know how aggressive he is about things. As long as the surgery goes well and as expected, I would expect a pretty quick recovery for him just because of those factors.”
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Tom Brady tore his ACL at a similar point in his career.
The good news for Mahomes is that other elite athletes suffered ACL tears and recovered to continue playing at a high level. The most apt comparison for Mahomes is Tom Brady, who suffered a torn ACL in his ninth NFL season, just like Mahomes.
Brady tore his ACL in the first game of the 2008 season and returned for the start of the 2009 season. He went on to make 11 Pro Bowls and win two MVPs and four Super Bowls after his ACL tear. Brady’s streak is obviously unprecedented and far from the standard any athlete should expect. But Mahomes is also exceptional and there are reasonable hopes that he can return to fitness after his rehab.
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Mahomes vowed on social media Sunday to “come back stronger than ever.”
The immediate question is when Mahomes will be ready to return. The most optimistic typical timeline (six months) would be for Mahomes to return in mid-June, which would have him ready in time for training camp.
A nine-month schedule would have him back in mid-September. The 2026 season is scheduled to begin on September 4. Anything beyond that would obviously eat up a significant portion of the 2026 season.
But again, no timetable has yet been set for Mahomes. Presumably more will be known once Mahomes undergoes surgery.