Andy Reid says Patrick Mahomes will get 2nd opinion on torn ACL from Cowboys doctor as his timeline to return remains unclear

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Monday that quarterback Patrick Mahomes will get a second opinion on the torn ACL that he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. And if all goes well with surgery, he’s optimistic that Mahomes will experience a “fairly quick recovery.”

Reid made his comments in a Monday news conference, a day after the devastating injury to Mahomes that was compounded by the Chiefs being eliminated from the playoffs. 

It’s not yet clear precisely when or where Mahomes will undergo surgery. Reid told reporters that Mahomes’ second opinion will come first 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 not cause for further concern. 

“These guys normally 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 if Mahomes sustained damage to his meniscus or anything else in his knee other than his ACL. He pointed the statement released by the Chiefs on Sunday announcing that Mahomes had torn his ACL.

“It’s just what they put out there,” Reid said. “We try not to hide too much from you. That’s not our game. I try to keep it right up front with you. That’s the information that they have, and they put it out for you.”

The Chiefs still have three regular season games to prepare for and play. But with Mahomes injured and the Chiefs out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season, the bigger picture focus has shifted to the future and Mahomes’ long-term health. 

When will Mahomes be ready to return to fooball?

With a second opinion and surgery still pending, there’s no official timeline yet for Mahomes to return. ACL tears generally sideline athletes anywhere from 6-12 months. If all goes well with Mahomes’ surgery an no other damage is discovered, Reid is optimistic about Mahomes’ chances of returning sooner than later.

“You never know on these rehabs how they go,” Reid said. “I just know he’s got good people that he’ll be working with. I know how aggressive he is on things. As long as the surgery goes well and as expected, I would expect a fairly quick recovery for him just because of those factors.”

Tom Brady tore ACL at similar point in his career

The good news for Mahomes is that other elite athletes have suffered ACL tears and recovered to continue to play at a high level. The most apt comparison for Mahomes is Tom Brady, who sustained 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 2009. He went on to make 11 Pro Bowls and win two MVPs win four Super Bowls after his torn ACL. Brady’s run, obviously, is unprecedented and far from the standard that any athlete should expect. But Mahomes is also exceptional, and there’s reasonable hope that he can return to form after his rehab. 

Mahomes vowed on social media Sunday to “be back stronger than ever.”

The immediate question becomes a matter of when Mahomes will be ready to return. The most optimistic typical timeline (six months) would have Mahomes return in mid-June which would have in ready in time for training camp. 

A nine-month timeline would have him back in mid-September. The 2026 season is slated to kick off on Sept. 4. Anything beyond that, obviously, would eat into a significant portion of the 2026 season. 

But again, a timeline for Mahomes is not yet set. More will presumably be known once Mahomes undergoes surgery.