Kansas City Chiefs aim to rebound in 2026 as Mahomes recovers from ACL tear

The Kansas City Chiefs finished the 2025 season with a 6‑11 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered torn ACL and LCL injuries in Week 15, prompting concerns about his availability for the 2026 opener against the Denver Broncos. ESPN’s annual poll of league executives, coaches and scouts placed Mahomes second behind Buffalo’s Josh Allen, noting a decline in his performance before the injury.

Team changes include signing running back Kenneth Walker III, releasing Isiah Pacheco, and retaining tight end Travis Kelce while making modest additions to the receiving corps. Backup quarterback Justin Fields is listed as the starter should Mahomes be unavailable. The Chiefs’ 2026 schedule will feature at least six primetime games, with broadcasts on CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, ABC and streaming via Amazon Prime Video and NFL Sunday Ticket.

Analysts point to the Chiefs’ poor record in one‑score games (1‑9) as a factor of bad luck, but note the team’s positive point differential and strong offensive ranking suggest potential for improvement in 2026.