When the NFL released its 2026 schedule, the Kansas City Chiefs may have missed the playoffs in 2025, but the league clearly hasn't forgotten their star power. The Chiefs are set for six primetime games this season, including a blockbuster opening stretch that puts them squarely in the national spotlight.
Week 1 kicks off with a Monday night showdown against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium, followed by a Sunday night matchup in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts—also at home. It's a prime-time doubleheader that screams confidence in one key player: quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, and the schedule's early emphasis suggests the NFL expects him back in action. But according to head coach Andy Reid, the league didn't consult the team about Mahomes's health when setting those dates. Speaking on NFL Network Thursday, Reid offered an encouraging update nonetheless.
"He's doing great right now," Reid said. "People go, 'Well, he's ahead of schedule.' Who made the schedule? Everybody's different. Let's just take it day by day. Nobody is spending more time than he is rehabbing. He spends seven hours here going through it. He hasn't missed a day, and he wants more—all the things that are Patrick Mahomes. Let's see where we are as we get closer to the game."
Reid also joked that the league might have scheduled the Broncos game as "motivation" for both Mahomes and Denver's Bo Nix, who is recovering from a broken ankle. But he made it clear the schedule won't drive any decisions on player readiness. "He's making progress, but you don't know," Reid added. "You're not going to put the player in a position where he can't tend to himself on the football field."
For now, the NFL will keep a close watch on Mahomes's recovery, hoping the two-time MVP is ready to light up primetime once again. For fans and gear enthusiasts alike, this season opener is shaping up to be one you won't want to miss—and you'll want to be decked out in Chiefs gear to cheer on the comeback.