Andy Reid’s unlikely role in ‘wired’ Patrick Mahomes’ recovery as reality of Week 1 Chiefs return emerges

Andy Reid has a front-row seat to watching Patrick Mahomes’ recovery.

That’s because the Kansas City Chiefs head coach is alongside him in the treatment room.

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The Chiefs’ franchise quarterback suffered a torn ACL and LCL in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season against the Los Angeles Chargers, the same game which ultimately ended Kansas City’s 10-season streak of reaching the postseason.

Mahomes’ ongoing work in the recovery room has been witnessed first-hand by Reid.

‘Big Red’ has been a companion to his star QB after undergoing a minor knee procedure in his right knee back in February which forced him to miss the NFL Scouting Combine.

In an exclusive conversation with talkSPORT’s Will Varney, The Athletic’s Chiefs reporter Jesse Newell gave some further insight into the pair’s rehabilitation together.

“I loved talking to Andy Reid, the Chiefs coach, at the annual meetings last week because he gives a little bit of a different perspective on Patrick Mahomes because Andy had knee reconstructive surgery in the offseason,” Newell exclusively told talkSPORT.

“So when he talks about ‘Hey, Patrick is hitting this thing hard. I see him there [in the facility] all the time.’ He’s saying that because sitting on the training table next to Patrick Mahomes is Andy Reid getting his knee rehab done.

“He kind of joked that Julie Frymyer, who’s in charge of Patrick’s recovery and is the athletic trainer in the office, says that she warms up on Patrick and then she takes it out on Andy on his knee afterwards.

“It’s funny to think about those two guys.”

Since the turn of the year, Mahomes has been reported to have been spending almost everyday at the Chiefs’ training facility for upwards of seven hours, alongside athletic trainer, Frymer.

Newell hinted that having Reid also in the building watching Mahomes’ progress could give the two-time NFL MVP some additional motivation as he seeks to return to the field for what could be the last season with his No. 1 target, Travis Kelce.

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“Not that Patrick Mahomes needs motivation, but if your coach was sitting next to you, I might be motivated to get in an extra rep or two just to let him know that I was working pretty hard,” Newell said.

Mahomes return timeline still on track

Mahomes has set himself an ambitious recovery target – to return to the field by Week 1 of the 2026 campaign, and according to Newell, the 30-year-old is still very much on course to do so.

“Patrick said in January that his goal is to make it back for week one. As of right now, it seems like everything in the trajectory is trending toward that,” he said.

“He’s sort of a freak when it comes to recovery and rehab…. This guy is just different when it comes to pain tolerance, rehab, that sort of thing.

“What they have to be worried about is a setback. There is a potential as you’re training, as you’re getting yourself ready, something happens unforeseen.

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“If that happens, the Chiefs feel better about having Justin Fields back there because he’s started NFL games.”

The Chiefs stunned the league when they traded for Fields from the New York Jets, who managed just 10 games for the team after being benched after a 2-8 start in 2025.

Nonetheless, Fields – who could make history as the first quarterback to suit up in Week 1 for a different team in four consecutive seasons – has almost 60 games of NFL experience under his belt.

He has amassed 11,931 total scrimmage yards and 75 total touchdowns and training camp will be key for the one-time first round pick.

“They feel like, with the experience he’s going to get in this offseason program – he’s going to take all the reps with the first team offense this offseason because Patrick Mahomes won’t be able to.

“So they feel better about that position because he’s there, and because of the experience that he has,” Newell added.

“But I would tell you Patrick’s anticipation, the team’s anticipation is that he’s going to be back for week one. Will he be 100 percent healthy? Probably not. …

“But that’s how he’s wired. That’s what his mindset is, and if anybody’s going to beat a timeline for an injury, it’s going to be that guy.”

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